- Mar 16, 2004
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Well said, I would like to add something but like you I feel it would be a space waster, you pretty much nailed it there. Just don't see enough of that on here.I beg to differ. He is using James 2:14 to state that it's the works that Justifies before God, not before men!
Not so fast, it's not a moral theoretical question. But the very essence of the Gospel we are talking about here. Let's get this straight, sinners are under the curse; meaning sinners are CONVICTED to condemnation & death! Not understanding the plight of the ungodly before a Holy God. Will pervert and distort the Gospel of Christ that Paul preached.
I believe we have discussed this in past, haven't we? So again I will provide the passages, and hope you will address them for us?
Romans 4: 2For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
So please notice, that "IF" Abraham WAS JUSTIFIED BY WORKS. Paul is very clear here, and we should use Scripture to interpret Scripture. Then Abraham has something to BOAST about; meaning he can claim he is owed because he did what was required by the Law. But Paul drives the point home here, NOT BEFORE GOD!
So then how was Abraham justified and counted, imputed, reckoned, credited with Righteousness? This is the crucial question we need to ask, and seek for. Not with paradigm biases or to attempt to win an argument, but simply to seek the truth!
Paul gives a explicit contrast on Faith Vs. Works to clarify any confusion.
3For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.
Here Paul is emphasizing works that are NOT COUNTED as A GIFT but as his earned wages/due/earned/merited. Question for you, what GIFT is Paul referring to, here? I know what it is. I am curious to your position on it.
5And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,
Now to the ONE who DOES NOT WORK, but believes in God who JUSTIFIES the 'UNGODLY'. Wow, Praise and Glory be to God alone who is rich in Grace & Mercy! Here is the Gift Paul was previous speaking about. Paul does not say that God Justifies the godly, righteous, holy, not the 'UNGODLY'!!! And because they believe in God who justifies the ungodly; their are counted, reckoned, credited, declare, given, imputed, given as a GIFT; righteousness.
So now we have a very (Captain Obvious) question here. How can God account the 'UNGODLY' righteous? This is a big problem? Why? Because they are evil, wicked, wretched, condemned sinners who are under the curse of the Law! And besides this God calls this an abomination; he who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous.
Proverbs 17:15He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
So we ask, how can God Justify the 'UNGODLY'? Answer: Through a Promise made with Adam & Eve, and Abraham, that God will send a Promise Seed to save His People.
Romans 8:3For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
So I ask you, why did Christ have to come in the flesh, born under the Law? Why did Christ have to condemn sin in HIS FLESH; this is not HIS SIN, but ours! Why is it okay to say our sin is IMPUTED to Christ, but not Christ's righteousness to us? Now, this is a problem, right? Proverbs states that it is a abomination to condemn the righteous!
But in Reformed Theology we teach and believe that Christ is the representative for His people. Like the first Adam was for mankind in the Garden Temple. This is why God sent the Last Adam who will save His people.
Romans 5:17For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
18Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
Okay back to answering Proverbs 17:15. The reason God can Justify the 'Ungodly' is because their Union with Christ through Faith Alone apart from works; which they receive Christ's righteousness and ALL his heavenly blessings in Him! It's this Union with Christ that they are DECLARED righteous through Faith Alone!
Romans 8:1There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:3... By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us,
So Christ condemns sin in the flesh by becoming a CURSE for us. By our sins being IMPUTED to Christ who knew no sin, to propitiate the wrath/curse of God by His blood sacrifice in our stead!
So by Christ being imputed with our sin, he condemned sin in the flesh! And we receive His righteousness.
21For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
1 Cor. 1:30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
So here in 1 Cor. Paul states it is because of God that we are in Christ (By Grace Alone), who has BECOME FOR US WISDOM--that is, OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, OUR HOLINESS, OUR REDEMPTION! How marvelous is this good news of the Gospel of he Christ for the 'UNGODLY'!
Phil. 3:9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
Notice here, the Righteousness that comes from God!
And I leave you with this:
Romans 3:21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
So why did I believe in God who justifies the 'UNGODLY'? Because he made a promise to Adam & Eve, and Abraham to save us in Christ Jesus!
I beg to differ. Just because it doesn't specially say the "Imputed Righteousness of Christ". It's concept and biblical teaching it taught. Just like the word 'TRINITY' isn't specially found anywhere in Scripture. The concept and biblical teaching is.
Again if one doesn't understand the plight of sinner under the curse of the Law and his/her position before a Holy Righteous Judge. Then one will not understand how AMAZING God's Grace really is! I have provided a lot of Scripture. And I can go on and on. But space will not allow it.
Grace and peace,
Mark
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