To appreciate justification we must first realize who we are and where we are headed apart from Christ. Without God’s grace, we are: justly condemned to eternal judgment, under divine wrath, alienated from God, in bondage to sin and Satan, and captive to our hearts which prefer the darkness of sin to the light of Christ. Listen Now
Tag: Justification
Podcast: What Did the Anabaptists Believe About Justification? [Foundations]
J.C. Wenger said it is a “queer notion that because the Anabaptists were vigorous in their demands for a life of earnest Christian discipleship, they were therefore unclear on grace and justification.” In the same context he references Menno Simons, who set forth a clear doctrine of justification by faith, one compatible with Reformed doctrine. Menno does, however, constantly emphasize that any true profession of faith with have with it works which confirm the claim. As we will see from the sampling of Anabaptist writers, justification by faith alone was certainly a part of their theology. Listen Now
Podcast: Is Justification a Reformed Doctrine? [Foundations]
Did the Anabaptists believe in justification by faith alone or were the Reformers alone in that view? While we often associate justification with Reformed doctrine, many early Anabaptists accepted justification as an essential gospel doctrine too. Listen Now
Podcast: Justification Matters [Touchpoints]
In our efforts to emphasize the importance of obedience, we sometimes hesitate to teach that justification is experienced apart from our works. We fear that, if people realize that they contribute nothing to their standing before God, they will consider themselves free to sin. If we are saved simply by believing, does that not free us to live however we want? The opposite is most certainly true. Only when we understand the grace of God in Christ, offering us His righteousness apart from our works, will we apprehend the call to obedience. Minimizing grace does not result in more godliness; it results in less. Listen Now
Podcast: Naked Before God – Hebrews 4:11-13 [Expositions]
Scripture reveals who we really are. It cuts through our facades, exposing our true selves. When it works on us, we are laid bare before God. Though we may be able to maintain a veneer of righteousness in our own efforts, Scripture peels it back and uncovers our sinful hearts. And in the final judgment, it will reveal our sin before the thrice-holy God. Not one thing can be hidden from Scripture’s razor scalpel. It “is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Listen Now
Podcast: Rest in Christ – Hebrews 4:1-10 [Expositions]
In Christ we find rest from the toil of self-righteousness—our striving to be good enough, our attempts to atone for our own sins. True rest, gospel rest, is experienced when we come to Christ, believing in Him, trusting in Him, and receiving the good things God offers us in Him. Listen Now
Audio: Sinners Made Righteous
Podcast: FEATURE – The Six Gospels [Touchpoints]
What we believe about the gospel is important. Actually, important is an understatement. The gospel is the very core of the Christian faith. What we believe about the gospel is one of the single defining realities of Christianity. In fact, what we believe about the gospel makes the difference of heaven or hell. This feature episode is an in-depth look at different views of the gospel, focusing especially on the concepts of justification and sanctification. Listen Now
Justification Matters
Justification is the starting point of all of God’s salvific work, and it is the foundation for all relationship with God. Read More