WEEK SIX:
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH II
i. Faith in Jesus as condition for Justification (Romans 1:16-17, Romans 4:1-15)
Jesus has lived a perfect example for everyone of us. He stated in John 15:15 that everything He had learned from the Father, He has shown us. So this means that we should live our lives the way He lived His. In Romans 1:16-17, the Bible states that the gospel is the power of God for the salvation of those who have faith. It is only those who are righteous by faith that shall live.
Also in Romans 4:1-15, Paul examined the life and relationship of Abraham with God. He made us to discover that God called Abraham even before he was circumcised. People used to think that it was circumcision that made a man righteous before God. However this is not true. Abraham was circumcised after he had believed God and the circumcision was just a seal or a sign of the righteousness he had already acquired by faith. In Romans 4:15, the Bible says the “For law brings wrath and where there is no law, there is no sin.” That is why Romans 4:13, states that the promise that Abraham received was not by law but was by his righteousness by faith.
ii. Fruits of Justification (Galatians 2:19-21, Colossians 3:5-7)
Faith makes us children of God and true followers of Jesus Christ. We must not allow the law to regulate our behaviours. If we live by the law, then we are not followers of Christ. Because if there is no law, then we would behave the way we like and then, we will not reflect the light and life of Christ. But if we live as followers of Christ, the life of Jesus will be reflected in us and we will be ambassadors of Jesus. We will not be under the law, but we will be justified by the faith we have in Christ Jesus.
In Colossians 3:5-7, Paul advised Christians to “put to death the earthly passion which are fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire and covetousness, which is idolatry because the wrath of God is coming on these acts which we were once found in.” This will make us acceptable to God through our faith in Christ Jesus.
Faith in Christ Jesus make us true Christians and followers of the gospel of Christ Jesus as we reflect the true life and light of Jesus.
Unprecedented 