Friday: Further Thought – Justification by Faith
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, The Righteousness of Christ in the Law, pp. 236-239; Come and Seek and Find, pp. 331-335; Perfect Obedience Through Christ, pp. 373, 374, in Selected Messages, book 1; “ Things New and Old,” pp. 128, 129, in Christ’s Object Lessons.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“Though the law cannot remit the penalty for sin, but charges the sinner with all his debt, Christ has promised abundant pardon to all who repent, and believe in His mercy. The love of God is extended in abundance to the repenting, believing soul. The brand of sin upon the soul can be effaced only through the blood of the atoning Sacrifice . . . of Him who was equal with the Father. The work of Christ-His life, humiliation, death, and intercession for lost man-magnifies the law, and makes it honorable.” – Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1, p. 371.
“Christ’s character stands in place of your character, and you are accepted before God just as if you had not sinned.” – Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 62.
“When the Apostle says that we are justified ‘without the deeds of the law,’ he does not speak of the works of faith and grace; for he who does such works, does not believe that he is justified by doing these works. (While doing such works of faith), the believer seeks to be justified (by faith). What the Apostle means by ‘deeds of the law’ are works in which the self-righteous trust as if, by doing them, they were justified and so were righteous on account of their works. In other words, while doing good, they do not seek after righteousness, but they merely wish to boast that they have already obtained righteousness through their works.” – Martin Luther, Commentary on Romans, p. 80.
Discussion Questions:
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Thank you to ALL those who have posted this week. Personally, your input has certainly fostered much thinking, reflecting and bible re-searching in preparation for my teaching of this week's lesson.
God guide us as we seek to see and know You more and more clearly - so that we can be healed, transformed and restored more and more into your likeness to bring you glory and to be better 'serve' those around us in a way that lifts you up!
I have recognized that the good Lord is trying His best to save us all. We have read all the facets which will aid in saving our souls so there is absolutely no excuse for this not to be done. Readers let us all purpose in our hearts to make it to Heaven. I want to be there, what about you?
EGW has written, "Pardon and justification are one and the same thing!" [Exclamation point mine.] You can read her entire paragraph in FW103.2.An SDA university theologian once said, we should be aware of the grammar in Romans 3:23: "All *have sinned*, [present perfect tense] and *come short* [present tense] of the glory of God." He added, this would therefore mean we should be justified daily. My words: Justification--put right with God daily; sanctification--keeping right and growing, with God, daily.
Have so enjoyed and benefited from all the posts!
Hi Lorayne.
Your post got me pondering - I wonder if justification and sanctification are more intertwined and less distinct that they are often made out to be.
So I did some digging. I found that in 1 Cor 6:11 the order of terms is reversed (justification is mentioned after sanctification). Did Paul make a mistake - or is it perhaps that there is no clear order and distinction?
Did some more digging. I found a reference to Ellen White's earlier life experience during a time where she anguished for fear that she was somehow not able to be saved. The following quote is from Life Sketches (1880, p 150.2)
“My ideas concerning justification and sanctification were confused. These two states were presented to my mind as separate and distinct from each other. Yet I failed to comprehend the difference or understand the meaning of the terms, and all the explanations of the preachers increased my difficulties...."
From the context, it appears that the presentation to her mind of justification and sanctification as 2 separate and distinct states was from preachers - not from personal divine revelation.
Later in her life, she wrote the following (Faith & Works: p 14.2)
"Many commit the error of trying to define minutely the fine points of distinction between justification and sanctification. Into the definitions of these two terms they often bring their own ideas and speculations. Why try to be more minute than is inspiration on the vital question of righteousness by faith? Why try to work out every minute point, as if the salvation of the soul depended upon all having exactly your understanding of this matter? All cannot see in the same line of vision."
The reference to Inspiration in the above quote by Ellen White appears to be the Bible.
Have we somehow muddied the waters on this topic? Is there a context through which the realities of justification and sanctification are actually more synonymous and less separate and distinct?
Hmmmm. Food for thought...
God love us much his plans is to safe us and what we as human need to do is to do good to others and have faiths in Jesus. May God help us.