Justified For Access To Grace

Righteous by believing what?

  • Jesus Christ Is The Son of God

  • The Son of God died for sin

  • The Son was raised by The Father

  • All of the above


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Mr. M

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Made righteous through believing.
Belief, as expressed by our words.
Matthew 12:
36
But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it
on the day of judgment.

37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
 
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Daniel Marsh

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Romans 6:23
When people sin, they earn what sin pays—death. But God gives his people a free gift—eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:1
So now anyone who is in Christ Jesus is not judged guilty.

2 Corinthians 5:19
I mean that God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold people guilty for their sins. And he gave us this message of peace to tell people.

Galatians 2:16
But we know that no one is made right with God by following the law. It is trusting in Jesus Christ that makes a person right with God. So we have put our faith in Christ Jesus, because we wanted to be made right with God. And we are right with him because we trusted in Christ—not because we followed the law. I can say this because no one can be made right with God by following the law.

Galatians 3:3
You began your life in Christ with the Spirit. Now do you try to complete it by your own power? That is foolish.

Galatians 3:26-27
You were all baptized into Christ, and so you were all clothed with Christ. This shows that you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 1:7
In Christ we are made free by his blood sacrifice. We have forgiveness of sins because of God’s rich grace.

Ephesians 1:13
It is the same with you. You heard the true message, the Good News about the way God saves you. When you heard that Good News, you believed in Christ. And in Christ, God put his special mark on you by giving you the Holy Spirit that he promised.

Ephesians 2:13
Yes, at one time you were far away from God, but now in Christ Jesus, you are brought near to him. You are brought near to God through the blood sacrifice of Christ.

Ephesians 3:12
In Christ we come before God with freedom and without fear. We can do this because of our faith in Christ.

Philippians 3:9
I want to belong to him. In Christ I am right with God, but my being right does not come from following the law. It comes from God through faith. God uses my faith in Christ to make me right with him.

2 Timothy 1:1
Greetings from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am an apostle because God wanted me to be. God sent me to tell people about the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus.
 
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Clare73

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What do you mean when you say "I am justified by Faith"?
Declared "not guilty" in God's Court; given right-standing with God's justice; Christ's righteousness credited (reckoned) to you through faith apart from works (Romans 3:21, 28), as with Abraham (Genesis 5:6).

We had a thread, "Justification," not too long ago.
 
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Mr. M

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Oh, I thought this was about the TV show.

You can be justified by faith before God, and justified by works before men.
Discussion on this topic is normally centered on Paul's teachings in Romans and Galatians.
I opened the thread with the intent to introduce some statements Jesus made on the subject
to see if it broadened the topic at all. Post #3 was a first attempt. If you don't mind, I will
reply to you by bringing in another narrative. We will see if any details jump out to anyone.


Luke 18:
9
Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous,
and despised others:
10 Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank You that I am not like
other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.

12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven,
but beat his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me, a sinner!

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for
everyone
who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
 
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Nathan@work

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Is there a statement you might make as an alternative? Say on.

When I think of “Faith”, I think - “I am saved through Faith”.

When I think of “justified”, I think - “I am justified by grace”.

So, in terms of “justification”, my statement would be;

God has justified me. :)
 
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renniks

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Discussion on this topic is normally centered on Paul's teachings in Romans and Galatians.
I opened the thread with the intent to introduce some statements Jesus made on the subject
to see if it broadened the topic at all. Post #3 was a first attempt. If you don't mind, I will
reply to you by bringing in another narrative. We will see if any details jump out to anyone.


Luke 18:
9
Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous,
and despised others:
10 Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank You that I am not like
other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.

12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven,
but beat his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me, a sinner!

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for
everyone
who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
I was trying to " like " this post, then I remembered I don't have that privilege on this forum at present. I'm curious what you make of James saying we are justified by works?
 
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Mr. M

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I was trying to " like " this post, then I remembered I don't have that privilege on this forum at present. I'm curious what you make of James saying we are justified by works?
James 2 will inevitably come up. I was hoping to keep the focus on some of the statements
the Lord made on the topic. I will make one point, since you asked.

James 2:14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?*
Paul teaches justification by faith, which pertains to right standing with God, and access to the
throne. Many find a conflict with James, and yet he asks what?* Can one say they have Faith
while walking in disobedience? Paul did not think so.

Romans 1:5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith
among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

James 2:22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith
was made perfect?
Yes, I can see that. Why doesn't everyone? Is it preferable to be contentious?
Now back to my intentions for the thread, and introduce another statement Jesus made
that
should be relevant, although it adds another character to the discussion.
Matthew 11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, look,
a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!
But wisdom is justified by her deeds.

Wisdom will have her say.
 
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Mr. M

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So maybe we should define Faith? :)
That discussion often begins here:
Hebrews 11:
1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that
the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which
he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and
through it he being dead still speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, and was not found,
because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that
he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must
believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
 
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Butterball1

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What do you mean when you say "I am justified by Faith"?

James 2:21,25.....works justifies
Romans 6:17-18....obedience justifies
Titus 3:7...... grace justifies
Galatian 3:24.......faith justifies
Galatians 2:17.....Christ justifies
Romans 5:8-9 Christ's blood justifies

Much involved in man being justified, not just faith only. A faith that justifies is a faith that works in obeying God's will. Justification is a process as seen with Abraham, not a one time singular event that happens unconditionally once for all time regardless of what the Christian does/lives. Those justified must live by faith till death Romans 1:17 else be lost if draws back, Hebrews 10:38-39.


JUSTIFICATION: By Faith or Works?
From above link:
"There has been much controversy over the instruction within the book of James regarding faith and works. Clearly, James taught that justification is as much by works as it is by faith (2:21) — a concept which Luther found so obnoxious that he rejected the inspiration of the document, called it a “right strawy epistle,” and suggested that the book was not even authored by James (Lenski, 1966, p. 515).

But the divine writer unequivocally affirmed that faith without works cannot save (2:14). Is he speaking of the alien sinner, or the Christian? The question is academic — James is discussing the principle of faithful obedience — to whomever it applies; whether an Abraham, or a Rahab
."

------------

James 2:21-22 "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?"

"faith and his actions were working together".....justified not by either faith alone or by works alone but justified by BOTH faith and works together.

The underlying Greek word rendered 'wrought' in the KJV is synergeō. Looks like our English word synergy. Synergeō means " to work together, help in work, be a partner in labor: 1 Corinthians 16:16; 2 Corinthians 6:1; to put forth power together with and thereby to assist" - Thayer.
Thus justification is a synergy of both faith and works working together and not apart for faith is dead apart from works killing the necessary synergy that requires both faith and works....a partnership between faith and works that cannot be broken if one is to be justified.
 
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Mr. M

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First, thank you very much for your thorough and well thought out response.
Hopefully all will continue in a profitable and edifying discussion.

James 2:21,25.....works justifies
James 2:14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?*
Post #13 began a discussion of James 2. He connects being justified to salvation, when
he asks this question:Can faith save him?

James 2:21-22 "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?"
A faith that justifies is a faith that works in obeying God's will.
Justification brings reconciliation, which establishes the believer in righteousness.
Romans 5:
9
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath
through Him.
10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son,
much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom
we have now received the reconciliation.
Justification is a process as seen with Abraham
Justification is not the process, reconciliation is accomplished. Righteousness is attained.
1 Corinthians 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
Salvation is not mentioned here, yet if we are to be "made whole" in salvation,
then all are necessary. Justification again, pertains to righteousness.
Salvation is the process, and this is where the conflict arises and is the center of the
debates and arguments.

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only,
but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Justification pertains to reconciliation, and the mediation of Christ between God and man.
2 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men,
the Man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
(note: ransom, connecting to redemption mentioned in 1 Co 1:30)
2 Corinthians 5:
18
Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ,
and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their
trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

To best define justified apart from salvation, go back to the beginning of Romans 5.
Romans 5:
1
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord
Jesus Christ,
2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and
rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

When I say "I am justified by faith", I am saying that I am reconciled to God, and I am
at peace with Him. I have access to the Grace necessary to walk in His Spirit and a life
in godliness. What is the point of being justified, if you aren't going to maintain a relationship
with Him? If you aren't interested in knowing and obeying His Will? I would like to bring Peter
into the conversation. Why not right?

2 Peter 1:
2
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,
through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these
you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world
through selfish desires.

Paul agrees:
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you,
always having all sufficiency in all, may have an abundance for every good work.

Jesus says that it must be your will to know and do His Father's Will.
John 7:17 If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether
it is from God or I speak on My own authority.


Having said all that, why was Abraham justified in offering Isaac on an altar? Was he seeking
reconciliation? No, he was acting in the obedience of faith. If Abraham was not right with God
he never would have heard His Voice in the first place to act in obedience to the command
to take your only beloved son and sacrifice him.

James 2:23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was
accounted to him for righteousness. And he was called the friend of God.
 
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Mr. M

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We had a thread, "Justification," not too long ago.
Since you mentioned this, and for curiosity sake, did the discussion in this other thread bring up
reconciliation and mediation? Just something I brought up here this morning, so I wondered...
 
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Clare73

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Since you mentioned this, and for curiosity sake,
did the discussion in this other thread bring up reconciliation and mediation?
Just something I brought up here this morning, so I wondered...
I don't remember that it did.
 
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