Salvation Part 2 – Justification

Subject: Salvation Part 2 – Justification

Scripture Reading: Romans 4

Memory Verses: Romans 5: 1 - 2

Objective: To clarify the process of justification for believers, identifying what it is, its origin, and its relevance to our salvation.

Introduction: The term Justification comes from the Greek dikaiōsis (Latin: justificatio), a legal term meaning to ‘declare righteous.’ It signifies an acquittal, whereby God grants a sinner right standing based on faith in Christ. This is not a moral improvement but a legal pronouncement. Justification is not the infusion of righteousness (sanctification) but the imputation of righteousness (Romans 4: 6 - 8).

1.      What significant event will occur on the Day of the Lord? Hebrews 9: 27, 2 Corinthians 5: 10, Revelation 20: 11 - 13

2.      The judgment is both just and unavoidable (Romans 3: 19). What are God’s criteria for judgment? Romans 2: 11 - 20, Acts 17: 29 - 31, Psalm 19: 7

3.      What is not a source of justification? Galatians 2: 16, Galatians 3: 11, Romans 3: 20 & 28

Note: ‘Law’ here refers to the Mosaic Law and all attempts at self-righteousness. We are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we are sinners. Our sinful nature precedes our sinful actions. The Law reveals sin but cannot remove it (Romans 5: 12 - 19).

4.      Why did God not justify humans by the Law? Romans 3: 27, Romans 8: 3, Galatians 3: 21, Ephesians 2: 9, Hebrews 7: 11

5.      Through whom and for what purpose is justification received? Matthew 20: 28, Acts 13: 38 - 39, Hebrews 9: 11 - 12

6.      What role does Christ fulfill as mediator? Romans 3: 25, 1 John 2: 2, 1 John 4: 10, 2 Corinthians 5: 21

Note: Propitiation is the divine act whereby God’s holy wrath against sin is fully satisfied through the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His selfless action enables Him to justly forgive sinners and reconcile them to Himself without compromising His justice.

7.      What was imputed to us that we could not produce ourselves? Romans 4: 22 - 25

Conclusion: The courtroom imagery effectively illustrates the gospel. Christ, the Judge, takes the place of the guilty and offers His righteousness in exchange for our guilt. This captures the heart of justification by faith (see Romans 3 - 5, Isaiah 53).