The Weekly Encourager – January 21, 2016 – Justification and Two Errors

It's been encouraging to think about the Why of Christmas. Why did Christ come to earth as a man? In Bible Study, we've been looking at justification in Romans 5. The concept of federal headship is helpful. Acting on my behalf, Adam sinned, therefore I sinned. Also acting on my behalf, Christ saved, therefore I am saved. By physical means (DNA), Adam brings death, but by spiritual means (faith), Christ brings life everlasting. Therefore let us rejoice!

Over the years, many well-meaning Christians have fallen into error on one side or another. The legalists focus on God's holiness and the impossibility of us ever meeting His standard of perfection in the Law. Feeling a strong sense of guilt, they try to work off their debt of sin by their own good works, rather than trusting in the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice. Deep inside, they believe Christ's death could not possibly pay for all of their sin. They need to hear more about Jesus our Advocate, and salvation by grace.

On the other hand, the liberalists focus on God's love that covers every sin, no matter what we do. They are more likely to push away any thoughts of personal failing, believing that their mistakes are no big deal since they are saved. Deep inside, they think they're good enough for God already. They may be tempted to take Christ's death far too lightly. They need to hear more about God our Judge, and sanctification by obedience.

Timothy Keller reminds us that “this great doctrine of justification” hangs between these “two opposite heresies,” but “the gospel keeps two truths together.” Here's what Keller says:

“1. God is holy, so our sins require that we be punished. The gospel tells us: You are more sinful than you ever dared believe. To forget this leads to license and permissiveness – to what we might call liberalism. 2. God is gracious, so in Christ our sins are dealt with. The gospel tells us: You are more accepted in Christ than you ever dared hope. To forget this leads to legalism and moralism.

“If you eliminate one or the other of these truths, you fall into legalism or liberalism, and you eliminate the joy and the 'release' of the gospel. Without a knowledge of our extreme sin, the payment of the gospel seems trivial and does not electrify or transform. But without a knowledge of Christ's completely debt-satisfying life and death, the knowledge of sin would crush us or compel us to deny and repress it.”

Do you tend to fall down on one side or the other? How about your church? Your children? I am convinced that the better we understand the great truths of the Bible, the more joy we will have, and the more victory we will experience in our daily lives. Just for today, I will ponder justification and let its implications expand in my mind and heart. Thank the Lord!

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

God is faithful,
j

Quotation from Timothy Keller, “Romans 1-7 For You,” Chapter 9 “Why Justification Comes,” p.135-136. Published by The Good Book Company, 2014.

Hymn “Jesus Paid It All” by Elvina M. Hall, 1865. Public Domain.