BIBLE DOCTRINES 1. JUSTIFICATION (Romans 3:20-28)
1. THE NEED FOR JUSTIFICATION
In Gen 3:23-24 we read of Adam & Eve being “put out” or ejected from the Garden of Eden. They were then outside of God’s Kingdom because of their sin. Every human being who has been born since that time is born outside God’s Kingdom. That’s why Jesus says to Nicodemus in John 3:3 “.. unless one is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God..” In Gen 12:1-3 we’re told of a people, a place & a blessing that God will give Abraham.
In Rom 3:23 it says we all break God’s Law and make up our own rules – that’s what sin is: it separates us from God. “For ALL have sinned…and are justified by His grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” God doesn’t brush our sins under the carpet; there are eternal consequences for sin. We need justification because we have sinned.
2. THE MEANS OF JUSTIFICATION
God pays the punishment we deserve. He reaches out in grace and mercy offering Christ as our propitiation. He died on our behalf. See 2 Cor 5:21, Rom 5:19. It’s all of Christ
3. THE RESULT OF JUSTIFICATION
Our justification is in Christ alone. 2 Cor 5:17 when you come to Christ you become a new creation, you are now different and in the Kingdom of God (Rom 8:1-4, 11, 5:1).
Phil 3:8-9 speaks of a righteousness from God that depends on faith. Our sin is given to Christ and His righteousness is given to us (Rom 8:11, 16-17, 37-39).