254 – Calling – Justification

SEMESTER 4

254 – Calling – Justification

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE: SOTERIOLOGY IV LESSON # 54
THE DOCTRINE OF CALLING (JUSTIFICATION)

Read Rom. 3:20-30, Rom. 4:1-5, Rom. 5:1-18.

INTRODUCTION:

These Scriptures soon persuade one that justification is a significant Bible doctrine. Yet one might ask, “Does it belong to atonement, calling, or preservation?” It is relevant to all of these, but we will consider it under the major heading of calling.

I. JUSTIFICATION BY SIMPLE DEFINITION

1. Essentially, it means to have a right standing before God. (Job. 25:4)
2. It means to be just, or pronounced just, or innocent of wrong. (Luke 18:13-14, Rom. 8:33)

II. SENSES AND MEANS OF JUSTIFICATION

1. In its essence justification is by grace. God does it. (Isa. 53:11, Rom. 3:24,30, Rom. 4:25, Rom. 5:18, Rom. 8:30,33, I Cor. 6:11, Tit. 3:7)
2. Meritoriously, it is by Christ’s blood. In this sense it belongs to atonement. (Rom. 4:25, Rom. 5:9,16,18, Rom. 6:11, Gal. 2:17)
3. Experimentally, it is by faith. In this sense it belongs to calling. (Rom. 3:28,30, Rom. 4:1-5, Rom. 5:1, Rom. 8:30, Gal. 2:16, Gal. 3:8,11,24)
4. Perpetually, it is intercession. In this sense it belongs to preservation. (Rom. 4:25, Rom. 5:1,9,10,11, Rom. 8:33,34, Gal. 2:16)
5. Evidently, it is by works. In this sense it belongs to perseverance. (Contrast Rom. 3:20,28-30, Rom. 4:2-5, Gal. 2:16, Gal. 3:11 to James 2:20-25)
6. The above statements are not contradictions, but differing senses and means.

III. THE NATURE OF JUSTIFICATION

1. It is essentially instantaneous. Only in the senses of experience and evidence is there any progression.
2. Justification is absolutely everlasting, (only eternal in decree). (Rom. 8:30,33, Heb. 10:10, Jn. 5:24, Rom. 5:9)
3. Justification is altogether free. (Rom. 3:20,24,28, Rom. 4:2-6, Rom. 5:18, Rom. 8:32,33, Tit. 3:5)
4. It is only judicial and declarative. That is, we are innocent in a positional sense, but much less in all practical senses.

IV. THE BENEFITS OF JUSTIFICATION

1. By justification, we are restored to the favor and approbation of God.
2. By justification, we have the imputation of Christ’s righteous­ness. (Rom. 3:22, Rom. 4:3-6, Rom. 10:4, Phil. 3:9, I Cor. 1:30)
3. By justification, we have peace with God. (Rom. 5:1)
4. By justification, we have peace with God. (Rom. 5:1)
5. By justification, we have future assurance of future adoption as adult sons of God. (Rom. 8:17, Gal. 4:4-5)