“How then can man be righteous before God?’ Bildad to Job (Job 25:4a)
The two main issues that continue to divide the Roman church and the Protestants are: 1) The Source and Authority of religious truths for the people of God and 2) The question of how a person is made right with God (How one is Justified?).
I will begin with the Protestant view of Divine Truth and Authority.
As Bible translations became available in the people’s languages, the study of Scripture revealed apparent and glaring disparities between Scripture and the teachings of the Church in Rome. Martin Luther and other Reformers understood that the Bible claims for itself the Divine Authority of God. That the Bible’s authority is complete, comprehensive and sufficient. That it is from Scripture alone that one finds all truth necessary for life and salvation. The Bible declares that non-biblical sources have no legitimate place of authority in church doctrine. This means no forms of tradition, no papal or church council decrees. If certain dogmas are not substantiated by scripture alone, it is not to be considered part of church doctrine. Everything is to be proved and tested by the Word of God as recorded in the Scriptures. Ref: (Proverbs 30: 5-6), (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
I intend to have a more complete article on The Doctrines of Scripture posted in the near future.
So, what do the Scriptures reveal about God’s Doctrine of Justification?
The dominant theme throughout the Old and New Testaments is expressed quite profoundly in the following verses. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast”. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Let’s start by studying each key word or phrase by connecting them with other portions of scripture to understand what has been revealed to us. I strongly urge you to read and study the scripture verses that are indicated.
“by Grace” The biblical meaning of Grace – Unmerited favor revealed and granted to sinners indicating that divine justice has been met, seeing that the penalty was placed entirely upon Christ. Grace is a gift. It cannot be earned or merited. We are saved solely through faith in Jesus Christ because of God’s grace and Christ’s merit alone. (John 1:14-17, Acts 4:32-33, Romans 1:7, 3:24, 5:2,17-21, 6:14, 11:5-6, 2Cor 9:8, 12:9, Gal 1:6,15, Eph 2:4-10, 2 Thes 2:16).
“saved through faith” Biblical or saving faith consists in believing what God has revealed in Scriptures, in the Person and works of Jesus Christ whom the Father has sent, receiving Him as Lord and Savior. For salvation, faith is a personal trust in the Lord Jesus, apart from any meritorious works. The Bible declares that we are saved from God’s wrath through faith. Because of our sinful nature, we have all been born into sin and we are all in need of being saved. God requires a payment in order to be saved or justified. Jesus provides that payment in our place, complete and full satisfaction to the Father. Because we cannot merit or contribute anything towards our salvation, our saving faith needs to be acquired through God’s sovereign grace. A repentant sinner comes to believe that he or she cannot earn the gift of salvation. That it is granted to one who receives the Father’s gift through faith in Jesus’ perfect life and his complete and sufficient work of the cross. (Gen 15:6, Ps 31:1, Luke 8:48, Matt 9:29, Luke 7:50, Acts 3:16, Rom 5:2, Rom 10:17, Gal 2:20, Eph 3:12, Titus 1:1, Heb C-11, James 1:6)
“not of yourselves” Salvation is from God. It comes down or is imputed to us by the Father upon complete and total surrender of our self-efforts. “Nothing in my hand I bring, only to thy cross I cling”, Rock of Ages, Augustus Toplady. The concept of total surrender is not difficult to comprehend by the mind. But oh so difficult accept and embrace with the heart. It is most difficult for natural man to relinquish control of his life. We overestimate our ability to please a most holy and perfect God with human effort. It is only through the Spirit filled divine revelation from God that we are able to comprehend this. The ability to believe is also a gift of God, it’s not of our own natural understanding. Please read and study the listed scripture verses. (Prov 3:5,6, Matt 16:13-17, John 1:13, C-3, 6:63, Rom 10:17, 1 Thes 1:5, 1 Pet 1:22-25)
“it is the gift of God” gift – something given willingly to someone without a payment. The biblical meaning: something freely given by God, these cannot be earned or merited. (Ps 29:11, John 4:10, Rom 5:15, 1 Cor 7:7, 2 Cor 9:15)
“not of works” The Bible has much to say regarding the difference between the biblical principles of faith and works in relation to one’s salvation. The Roman church denies faith alone. They require faith plus meritorious works “in order to the obtaining the grace of Justification” (Council of Trent). The New Testament Epistles declare it is faith alone, sola fide, in which we are saved solely through faith in Jesus Christ because of God’s grace and Christ’s merit alone. Not by our merit or good works. No good work on our part can contribute anything meritorious to the sinner’s acceptance or justification before God. (Romans 3:21-28, 4:5-6, 11:6, Gal 1:15-16, Eph 2:8-10, Titus 3:5-7)
The Bible does hold our “works” in high esteem regarding the Christian life. Our good works become the fruit or outward evidence of our salvation. A person does not possess saving faith if he or she shows no evidence of a changed life, a life without good works. (Rom C-4, Gal 3:6,17, James C1-C2)
Throughout the Bible there are countless examples of those who possessed saving faith and their subsequent producing of genuine good works. Just a few examples; Abraham, first his faith, he believed God. Followed by his obedience, his good works. (Gen 15:6, Rom 4:3) The Samaritan woman, first her belief, then her actions, she went and told the people about her Messiah. (John 4:4-39) Zacchaeus, first his belief, then his good works, his willingness to give restoration was genuine proof of his conversion. It was the fruit, not the condition of his salvation. (Luke 19:1-10)
“lest any man should boast” boast – talk with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one’s achievements, possessions or abilities.
Jesus Christ has provided all requirements for our salvation, sufficiently and completely. We cannot add one iota to what Christ has already accomplished. We just need to humbly believe and accept what he has done on our behalf. Genuine believers have nothing to boast about. I refer you to the previous paragraphs and the following scripture verses. (John 19:30, Rom 10:9-13, 1 Cor 1:22-24, Heb 10:11-12, Rev 22:17-21)
Thank you for reading and contemplating this article. It is my deepest hope that these articles create in you a sincere desire to understand these doctrines. Don’t just take my word for it all, revelation comes from searching the Scriptures (2 Tim 3:15-17). May the Lord bless you during your quest. JCav.
Your feedback is much desired and appreciated.
For a continuation of this theme, please proceed to Doctrine of Justification – Reformed, Part II
Sola Deo Gloria – Glory belongs to God alone