The Miracle of Salvation (Part Six)

Justification (by faith alone)

For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
Romans 3:28 (ESV)

How can a sinner stand before a holy God? Only when he is declared to be just by the supreme judge. On what basis does God declare a sinner to be just? The only foundation for justification is the redemptive work of Jesus (Rom. 3:24). Justification is through Christ alone. How can justification then also be by faith alone? Faith is the only means that links me to Christ and His work. Faith is the only instrument by which the righteousness of Christ is credited to me. God justifies the one who has faith in Jesus (Rom. 3:26).

The idea of being justified by faith is very strange to the natural man. He tries to make himself right before God through good deeds. In order to correct this error, Jesus taught the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18. The Pharisee went into the temple and prayed with great confidence: God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector (v. 11). Proudly, he presented the impressive building of his righteousness to God, one he had built from the bricks of his good works: I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get (v.12). Probably, he continued for quite a while to list all the good things he does. When he finally finished, the little publican came. He had nothing good to present to the Lord and didn’t even try. He beat his breast as a sign of repentance and stammered the words: God, be merciful to me, a sinner! Jesus could not be clearer: I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other (14). Once and for all Jesus declared that good works are an inadequate means to be justified before God.

For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. The classic example of this is Abraham. To a man who had no more means and possibilities to have children with his wife Sarah, God promised descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. Abraham put all his trust in this promise! He believed God! And it was counted to him as righteousness (Rom 4:3). From this example Paul understood the principle of biblical justification: And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness (4:5).1

In the Gospel, God promises me: “Christ has fulfilled all the requirements of the law and Jesus took the complete punishment for sins. He has done all this for you! – Believe it!” God accepts no other means to be justified than faith alone. He also expects no less and no more than faith alone: For with the heart one believes and is justified (10:10)! After someone puts their trust in Jesus – when God looks at you, He sees the perfect goodness of the Lord Jesus.

1 To understand the doctrine of justification by faith well, it helps to carefully read the whole heart-warming passage from the Epistle to the Romans, Rom 3:21 – 4:5.