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Forgiveness, Freedom, Joy

Podcast: L4L 72 – Burdened By Guilt? Justification is God’s Answer

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Do you struggle with guilt and condemnation? God has the solution: Justification, by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone.

Outline

Our Problem:

  • Our Problem: Moral Corruption, Guilt, Condemnation and Alienation from God
  • Our Desperate Need: New Nature, Forgiveness, Acceptance, and Reconciliation

( See Exodus 20:5–6; Galatians 6:7; Exodus 23:7; Nahum 1:3; Romans 1:18; 5:10; 8:7; Psalm 7:11; 5:5; James 2:10; Romans 3:9–18; Psalm 58:3; Ephesians 2:1, 3, 12; Ezra 9:6; John 8:34; Proverbs 17:15; 24:24)

God’s Solution: Justification is by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone.

  1. Justification is an act of God’s free grace unto sinners (Romans 3:22–25; 4:5)
  2. In justification, God not only pardons all of a person’s sins, but also accepts that person as righteous in His sight (2 Corinthians 5:19–21; Romans 3:22–28)
  3. Justification is not based on the character or conduct of the justified person but is strictly “according to His mercy” and based on Christ’s righteousness and “redemption through His blood” (Titus 3:5–7; Ephesians 1:7)
  4. In justification, the merit of Christ’s righteousness and obedience is “imputed” or credited to the account of the person who is justified, who receives this imputed righteousness as a free gift of God (Romans 5:17–19; 4:6–8; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
  5. Christ fully and completely satisfied the Justice of God on behalf of those who are justified (Romans 5:8–10, 19; 1 Timothy 2:5–6; Hebrews 10:10; Matthew 28:20; Daniel 9:24–26; Isaiah 53:4–6; 10–12; Hebrews 7:22; Romans 8:32; 1 Peter 1:18–19)
  6. The only condition of justification is faith in Christ alone (Romans 3:24–25). Faith in Christ is itself a gift of God to the believer (Ephesians 2:8)
  7. Redemption and forgiveness are matters of God’s free grace, it is an unmerited gift of God’s love (Ephesians 1:7)

Our Response: Bringing It Home

  1. Justification is a legal declaration by God (NOT GUILTY!)
  2. God declares us to be just in His sight
    1. We have no penalty to pay for any of our sins (past, present or future)
    2. We are not merely neutral in His sight, but actually righteous in His sight
  3. God declares us righteous because He credits Christ’s righteousness to us
  4. Justification is ours solely because of the Grace of God, not because of any merit in us
  5. God justifies us through faith in Christ
  6. We must:
    1. Renounce any trust in our “good works” as meriting anything with God
    2. Rely entirely on the Person and Work of Christ.

About James Long, Jr. and Lessons for Life

Are you longing to find answers to the deeper issues of life? Join Dr. James Long, Jr., a pastor, counselor, and university professor with over 25 years of experience. Hear James as he tackles some of life’s biggest questions and helps us find God’s solutions to life’s struggles. Learn the power of living by God’s grace and for His glory. Experience the joy of forgiveness and freedom found in Jesus Christ alone. If you are on a search for freedom, you will love being part of this conversation. Subscribe, and enjoy the show! 

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