WEEK FIVE
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
i. Meaning and need for Justification Romans 3:23, Galatians 3:19-21
Justification means a good reason why something exists or is done. As Christians, there is a good reason why we exist and are living. In Romans 3:23, the Bible states that “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. There must be a good reason why God still spares us and is still interested in us. The Bible in Galatians 3:19-21 states that law was given by angels, through an intermediary, Moses and this law was given because of transgressions of the people. God doesn’t want us to be regulated by law else righteousness would only be possible by law.
ii. Works and law do not justify anybody (Romans 4:1-5, Galatians 2:16-21)
Works are the things we exert our energy on. It involves our energy and skills while law is the set of rules and principles that guides how people behave in a society. In Romans 4:1-5, the Bible states that Abraham would have had something to boast about if he was justified by his works. In verse 3, the Bible says, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.”If it is by works, then it is not a gift. But we discovered that all that we receive from God were gifts and not dues or entitlement.
Also in Galatians 2:16-21, the Paul explained that the death of Christ would be in vain if law justifies us. But because we live our lives as Christ lived, then it is Christ that lives in us. This is because we reflect Christ. Then we are justified by our faith in Christ Jesus. Law presupposes punishment so because people don’t want to be punished they tend to pretend and behave in a certain way. But people who have faith in Christ need not to be guided by law because every good work they do, they do because they have faith in Christ.
In Hebrews 11:1, “faith is the assurance of things hoped for and conviction of things not seen.” If we have not seen God and we believe that He is, then we will be justified. In Hebrews 11:6, the Bible states “And without faith, it is impossible to please God…..” Thus it is the faith we have in God that justifies us.
Unprecedented 