I wanted to continue with my theme of covering some big theological, hard to understand words and also continue on a path of covering the -ations of the Bible. Justification came to mind next.
We believe in entire sanctification as a definite crisis experience subsequent to regeneration. It is wrought on the basis of faith and consecration through the infilling of the Holy Spirit by which the believer is cleansed from all sin and to which the Spirit testifies.
We believe in the progressive growth in grace toward Christian maturity through a consistent Christian life of good works which springs from faith in God and obedience to His Word. This growth we believe to be a necessary complement to the above mentioned crisis experience.
We believe in the progressive growth in grace toward Christian maturity through a consistent Christian life of good works which springs from faith in God and obedience to His Word. This growth we believe to be a necessary complement to the above mentioned crisis experience.
This statement is taken from the Ohio Christian University beliefs page. I am using the CCCU (Church of Christ in Christian Union) as an example, not to degrade them or put them down in any way, but because this is where I had my first encounter with justification and where I first started to pursue the topic. I also use this statement of belief because it is a commonly held belief that I disagree with. I hope that you understand justification and where the body has disagreements and hopefully you can find a place to stand based on scripture.
You ask, why did you put the above quote up there? It's definitely talking about sanctification there!!! So it would seem, but look closer. The "crisis experience" mentioned above is in fact an occurrence that takes place at the time of salvation (a.k.a-justification), not some time later. I would add also that sanctification in the context of scripture and the use here is contradictory to each other. The growth in grace that is mentioned is sanctification and the crisis experience is justification. (Just to clarify, or maybe i just confused you even more)
First, what is justification. Justification is the act of God pardoning our sins because of the substitutionary work of Christ and imputing Christ's righteousness to us so that we can have eternal life. This occurs through faith and faith alone.
Romans 3:24-26 and are justified by his grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation
by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over
former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 5:18 Therefore, as one trespassOr the trespass of one led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness Or the act of righteousness of one leads to justification and life for
all men.
Romans 3:28-For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law
This process happens at the time of salvation. This is the crisis experience mentioned above!! When God brings us to life from our state of death, it is a legal transaction. Just as in a court case, when the judge throws down the gavel and declares a verdict in a case, the word is final. How much more so is the verdict of the Almighty, Perfect, Eternal Judge. That is the crisis experience. Christ is victor!!! He paid for our sins!!! He was victorious over death!!! When we place our faith in Jesus, He pays for our sins in that moment, He takes us in His hand and never lets us go. (John 10:28) There is no subsequent work of justification later in a Christians life. This just cannot be found in scripture. The believer in Christ is saved by faith alone, justified, and sanctified in a life-long continuous process led by the Holy Spirit.
Why does this matter? This is a topic that is crucial to the everyday life of a christian. I believe the Bible presents justification as an act that occurs at the moment of salvation. If this act were to occur later in the Christian's walk with Christ, than up to that point the christian is not actually declared innocent by the work of Christ on the Cross. This brings me to my knees in gratefulness that I do not have to live everyday of my life in fear that I might lose my salvation. According to the quote above, you can lose your salvation at any moment, I believe this creates a very "me" centered christian. Instead of marveling at the grace of God and basking in the presence of the Lord, we end up fearful and focused on if we are doing enough good or not doing bad things so we won't lose our salvation. What a terrible life to live!!!
In light of the justification that we freely received from our abundantly loving God, we should glorify Him and thank Him for His Son that took the penalty of death that we should have received. We should live confidently in our faith and live a life pleasing to God. We should share this good news with others!!!!
You ask, why did you put the above quote up there? It's definitely talking about sanctification there!!! So it would seem, but look closer. The "crisis experience" mentioned above is in fact an occurrence that takes place at the time of salvation (a.k.a-justification), not some time later. I would add also that sanctification in the context of scripture and the use here is contradictory to each other. The growth in grace that is mentioned is sanctification and the crisis experience is justification. (Just to clarify, or maybe i just confused you even more)
First, what is justification. Justification is the act of God pardoning our sins because of the substitutionary work of Christ and imputing Christ's righteousness to us so that we can have eternal life. This occurs through faith and faith alone.
Romans 3:24-26 and are justified by his grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation
by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over
former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 5:18 Therefore, as one trespassOr the trespass of one led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness Or the act of righteousness of one leads to justification and life for
all men.
Romans 3:28-For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law
This process happens at the time of salvation. This is the crisis experience mentioned above!! When God brings us to life from our state of death, it is a legal transaction. Just as in a court case, when the judge throws down the gavel and declares a verdict in a case, the word is final. How much more so is the verdict of the Almighty, Perfect, Eternal Judge. That is the crisis experience. Christ is victor!!! He paid for our sins!!! He was victorious over death!!! When we place our faith in Jesus, He pays for our sins in that moment, He takes us in His hand and never lets us go. (John 10:28) There is no subsequent work of justification later in a Christians life. This just cannot be found in scripture. The believer in Christ is saved by faith alone, justified, and sanctified in a life-long continuous process led by the Holy Spirit.
Why does this matter? This is a topic that is crucial to the everyday life of a christian. I believe the Bible presents justification as an act that occurs at the moment of salvation. If this act were to occur later in the Christian's walk with Christ, than up to that point the christian is not actually declared innocent by the work of Christ on the Cross. This brings me to my knees in gratefulness that I do not have to live everyday of my life in fear that I might lose my salvation. According to the quote above, you can lose your salvation at any moment, I believe this creates a very "me" centered christian. Instead of marveling at the grace of God and basking in the presence of the Lord, we end up fearful and focused on if we are doing enough good or not doing bad things so we won't lose our salvation. What a terrible life to live!!!
In light of the justification that we freely received from our abundantly loving God, we should glorify Him and thank Him for His Son that took the penalty of death that we should have received. We should live confidently in our faith and live a life pleasing to God. We should share this good news with others!!!!
