How The Concept Of Imputed Righteousness Clarifies Justification By Faith

Romans 4:3 "For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

Introduction:

In our last post we had considered how Paul uses Abraham to illustrate the doctrine of justification by faith. The reader may had noticed the opening verse of today's post has containing "all-caps". The reason for this is due to Paul quoting from Genesis 15:6. As we noted in the last post, justification by faith alone is not just a New Testament teaching. This truth of God's declaration of the sinner's innocence at saving faith is taught in both Old and New Testaments. In today's post we are going to probe deeper into Romans 4 by noting how justification by faith works through a Biblical teaching called by theologians: "imputation" or "imputed righteousness". This concept will enable us to better understand what justification by faith is all about. 

The connection between Romans 1-3 and Romans 4

When one studies the first three chapters of the Book of Romans, humanity is depicted having three crises that can only be addressed by Justification: 

1. A spiritual crisis. Romans 1:18-2:3
2. A moral crisis.    Romans 2:4-29
3. A relational crisis. Romans 3:1-31 

With respect to mankind's spiritual crisis, the situation is one of being at enmity with God (Romans 1:18-31). The moral crisis involves being dead in sin and incapable of pleasing God by keeping the Law of God (Romans 2:1-29). By the time we arrive at Romans 3, the crisis is compounded by indicating how relationship-wise, fallen man is utterly bankrupt with Holy God and thus a debtor to His Law (Romans 3:1-20). 

In short when you and I are born into this world, we are in the spiritual, moral and relational equivalent of a credit crisis.  Unless our spiritual bank account is radically credited with righteousness, no amount of right living will balance out what is owed to God. Paul's key point in Romans 4 will be to illustrate God's solution to all of this by highlighting justification by faith as illustrated in the life of Abraham. 

Abraham is used to illustrate the kind of righteousness that was credited to Him at the moment of saving faith.  

So what type of moral and spiritual transaction occurs when once is "justified by faith"? Per Paul's argument and the Biblical teaching on justification by faith, God's righteousness, or to be more specific - Christ's righteousness, is transferred into the believing sinner's otherwise spiritually bankrupt moral bank account. This type of transfer is called "imputed righteousness" and lies at the heart of understanding Justification by faith. So we need to ask: what is "imputed" or "imputation" mean and how can it aid in shedding light on justification by faith?

Computers, Disputes, Reputations and Imputation

Perhaps the term "imputed" or "imputation" may be new to you.  Like "imputation", other words in our English language have the same Latin root "putare" (peu-ta-ray) which means "work that is accomplished".  I'm sure you have heard of a "computer".  The word "computer" comes from two Latin words: a prefix "com", meaning "with, together" and its root "putare", meaning "work accomplished".  Thus this blog that I am typing was accomplished by working together with a machine - i.e, a "computer".

Or how about a "reputation"?  A reputation is what others are "repeating" (re) about the work your accomplished (putare).  Everyone desires a good reputation.  

Or perhaps you have gotten into a "dispute"?  That is, you "disagreed" (dis) over what exactly was accomplished (putare). All these words derive from the same root word "putare", and are concerned about the nature of a given accomplished work.

Imputation means you get the credit for work you did not accomplish. So what about the work of salvation?  How is Christ's life, death and resurrection transferred to you at the moment of saving faith?  It is done by "imputation".  That is, the "work accomplished" (putare) is done in your place by another (in) resulting in you getting the credit.  When you go to a store and swipe your credit card, the cash register will display the message: "card accepted", issuing you the credit to purchase your item.  The store "imputes" or "credits" you with the funds to buy the item, even though those funds had been previously secured by the credit card company.

How imputation links together Christ's life and work on the cross to the believing sinner in justification?

In order for sinners to be "credited" with the righteousness of Jesus Christ, imputation had to be at work at the cross. That is, my sin and life needed "credited" to Christ so that at saving faith, His perfect work and life could be credit to me. 2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us: "He who knew no sin became sin for us".  The believer's sin was "credited" or "imputed" to Jesus Christ on the cross. He who never sinned was treated by, "credited" by God as if He had done our sin.  On the cross, Christ the "New Adam" (Romans 5:14) was treated like the "original Adam" who had sinned in Genesis 3.  Why?  The second part of 2 Corinthians 5:21 explains: "so that we might be the righteousness of God in Him". 

So at the cross, my sin was "imputed to Christ", because God had made a decision to set His affection on me to rescue me, convict me of my sin, and position me to trust in Christ's life and saving work.  The moment I did that, all of Christ's identity and work was "imputed" or "credited" to me.  I call this God's Heavenly Credit Card of Justification.  Unlike the credit cards we use, there is no bill that comes in the mail at the end of the month.  God did this on the basis of His grace and love. Truly we can praise God for imputing our sins on Christ, because only then could His sinless life and accomplished work be imputed to us in justification!

How Paul's Use Of Abraham In Romans 4 Illustrates Justification By Faith

Romans 4:1-3 "What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 

Introduction: The Bible uses people to illustrate central truths

For every New Testament teaching or doctrine we can find at least one concrete, flesh and blood example of that truth.  When it comes to the central Gospel truth of Justification by Faith Alone,  we find such an example in the life of Abraham.  The Apostle Paul uses the life of this Old Testament figure to drive home the point of God's declaration of a sinner's innocence at saving faith - i.e justification.  

How does Abraham properly illustrate a sinner being declared righteous by God at saving faith - i.e justification?

Numerous passages in both the Old and New Testaments feature Abraham. As a brief sketch of his life shows - Abraham had been originally named "Abram", a pagan living in ancient Babylonia or what was called then "Ur of the Chaldees". 

The location of Abraham's home city is well known to the world of archaeology - located South of Kuwait in modern day Iraq. Excavations give insight into Abram's world. In his day there had been a large tower dedicated to pagan worship called a "zigguraut", mimicking its much larger patterned original - the Tower of Babel that we read about in Genesis 11:1-9. The picture below comes from the following article that details this archaeological find: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ziggurat_of_Ur
 

This detail is worth noting, since Abram would had been a pagan worshipper of false deities. Joshua 24:2-3 spells out the rest of the story: "Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘From ancient times your fathers lived beyond the River, namely, Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, and they served other gods. 3 Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River, and led him through all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his descendants and gave him Isaac."

So Abram had been involved in a major center of idol worship when God's grace broke into his darkness. Passages such as Genesis 11:27-31 and 12:1-3 both record God calling Abram out of Ur of the Chaldees to the land where God would have him to settle. Along that 800 mile journey, Abram's father and brother died. The journey was not easy. When Abram arrived in God's destination of the land of Canaan, tests were going to be administered to establish Abram's resolve to follow God (see Genesis 12:8-18). Despite all the tests and hard journeys, Genesis 13:4 records that Abram called on God for the first time. 

If for anything, Paul's use of Abram (whose name would later be changed by God to "Abraham") would communicate volumes to both Gentiles and Jews. The Gentiles, involved in the first century Greco/Roman paganism of their day - could find common ground with Abraham, who himself had been an idolater. The Jews of course would equally identify with Abraham, since he is their main patriarch from whence all the promises of God to the Jewish people commenced. Moreover, Abraham's lineage would be the very bloodline used by God to bring about the humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ. All in all, Paul's use of Abraham to illustrate the crucial doctrine of justification by faith could not had been a better choice. 


Abraham - the example of what it means to be justified by faith

When God called Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees, 13 years would pass until the event in which God would speak to him in a dream in Genesis 15. The point of God appearing to Abraham in the vision of Genesis 15 was to reaffirm His promises to Him.  By receiving those promises by faith alone, Abraham demonstrated the concept of God having "justified" or "credited" or "counted" Abraham as being right with Him.  Paul's whole point here is that the doctrine of justification by faith is not some novel invention. We must not ever think that Old Testament salvation consisted of obeying God's ten commandments, since Abraham predated such by over 400 years. Instead, the truth of justification by faith alone is as much an Old Testament truth as a New Testament one. If Abraham, a former pagan worshiper, could be declared righteous by God at saving faith - surely anyone could.

Questions we can use to navigate through Paul's use of Abraham in illustrating justification by faith alone

Some key questions from Romans 4 will guide us in seeing how Abraham illustrates Justification by Faith.

1. Is Justification based upon human goodness? Romans 4:1-8

According to Romans 4:1-8 the answer is "no".  As mentioned already, Abraham had been called by God while He was worshiping other gods in Ur in Genesis 11:27-32.  Later on we would find out that his wife Sarah was barren, unable to conceive a child, a crucial key to God's promise to Abraham of numerous offspring.  Even after trying to bring that about himself with his handmaiden Hagar, Abraham demonstrated that he was unable to bring about anything contributing to his own salvation.  It was God's loving choice and calling of Abraham that explains Abraham genuine trust in God (Joshua 24:1-3; Nehemiah 9:7; Psalm 105:41-43; Isaiah 41:8; 51:1-2; Acts 7:1-4; Romans 9:7; 11:1).  As Abraham demonstrates, his salvation was by grace through faith alone.

2. Is Justification based upon the religious rite of circumcision? Romans 4:9-12

When Paul wrote Romans, many Jews in his day thought salvation was a result of circumcision plus faith.  Yet, when God spoke these words to Abraham in Genesis 15, it was before He had revealed the rite of circumcision in Genesis 17.  Justification then is not based upon how religious or irreligious one is. One is declared right with God by faith.  This is the argument of Romans 4:9-12.

3. Surely Abraham was justified by keeping the ten commandments? Romans 4:13-15

According to Genesis 15, it would be another 400 or so years before God would reveal the Law to Israel and Moses on Mount Sinai.  Abraham was not declared righteous due to keeping the law.  Rather it was by grace alone through faith alone - identical to how justification occurs today (John 1:12-13; Ephesians 2:8-9). This is the argument of Romans 4:13-15.

So as we close out today's post, what can we learn from Paul's usage of Abraham in illustrating the doctrine of justification by faith?

In short, Abraham was justified by faith alone. In Romans 4:21-22 we read: "and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able to perform. 22 Therefore it was also credited to Him as righteousness."  The essence of saving faith entails the idea of "firm persuasion".  The Hebrew word the word "amen".  When you here the word "amen", it means you affirm, agree, are fully persuaded of what is being said to you.  Thus Abraham literally "amened" what God promised to Him.  He could not do anything to earn it, nor could he accomplish it.  God alone could bring about the miraculous result of a son born to He and Sarah in their old age. (Genesis 21).  By faith alone he received the promise.  Abraham was justified by faith alone.

A List Of Past Blogposts For Studying Romans 1:1 - 3:31

Romans 1:16-17 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.”

Introduction:

Today's post will enable the reader to look back through past blogposts on studies done in Romans 1:1-3:31. This blogger has been preaching a series of sermons through the Book of Romans. The following links below will link to posts that provide the source material for those messages. Anyone clicking on the following links are free to use them for devotions or teaching situations. I have included the scripture headings for each link so that readers can navigate more easily through the posts. To God be the glory!

Introducing Romans 
http://www.growingchristianresources.com/2017/01/why-gospel-is-so-powerful-introducing.html

P1 Romans 1:1-7
http://www.growingchristianresources.com/2016/12/p1-why-gospel-is-so-powerful-romans-11.html

P2 Romans 1:1-7
http://www.growingchristianresources.com/2017/01/p2-why-gospel-is-so-powerful-romans-11.html

Romans 1:8-17
http://www.growingchristianresources.com/2017/01/the-gospels-powerful-results-romans-17.html

Romans 1:18-2:3
http://www.growingchristianresources.com/2017/01/the-remedy-for-mankinds-spiritual.html

Romans 2:1-29
http://www.growingchristianresources.com/2017/01/your-only-court-of-appeal-thoughts-on.html

Romans 3:1-24
http://www.growingchristianresources.com/2017/02/gods-spiritual-rescue-plan-romans-31-24.html

P1 Romans 3:20-31
http://www.growingchristianresources.com/2017/02/p1-solving-divine-dilemma-of-salvation.html

P2 Romans 3:20-31
http://www.growingchristianresources.com/2017/02/p2-solving-divine-dilemma-of-salvation.html

P3 Romans 3:20-31
http://www.growingchristianresources.com/2017/02/p3-solving-divine-dilemma-of-salvation.html

P4 Romans 3:20-31
http://www.growingchristianresources.com/2017/02/p4-solving-divine-dilemma-of-salvation.html

Some Reflections On Jesus As "The Pillar Of Fire" and "The Light Of The World"

Numbers 9:15-17 "Now on the day that the tabernacle was erected the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony, and in the evening it was like the appearance of fire over the tabernacle, until morning. 16 So it was continuously; the cloud would cover it by day, and the appearance of fire by night. 17 Whenever the cloud was lifted from over the tent, afterward the sons of Israel would then set out; and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the sons of Israel would camp."

Introduction:

When God revealed Himself to His people throughout the Old Testament, such manifestations to them are referred to as "theophanies". Oftentimes those "theophanies" are specified to be particular "cameo" appearances of God the Son before His incarnation in what theologians call "Christophanies". One such "Christophany" is that of Jesus appearing as "the pillar of fire". 

As we said already, in the Old Testament, God manifested Himself as a pillar of fire (and cloud by day), shining light and providing protection for the people of God. In the New Testament, Jesus states He is the “Light of the World”. In today's post, we will explore these truths and how they relate to your life. 

How we connect the theophany of "The Pillar of Fire" to being a "Christophany" or Old Testament revelation of God the Son

Now in brief, we know that Jesus Christ, the "Light of the World", had made prior appearances in the Old Testament in such phenomena as the "Pillar of Fire". How do we know? For starters, the "pillar of fire" manifestation is closely connected to the Feast of Passover, as seen in Exodus 13 and 14 and in Numbers 9. The Passover Feast and its central focus on the lamb given on behalf of the first-born in every Jewish home is a key Old Testament theme. The "lamb" or "lamb of God" motif is spelled out numerous times in both Old Testament prophecy and New Testament revelation (see Isaiah 53; 1 Corinthians 5:7). Jesus was deemed "the Lamb of God" by John the Baptist in John 1:29. We find the timing of His crucifixion to correspond with the timing of Passover, including His commemoration of the Lord's Supper at the end of all four Gospels. 

The connection between Passover and the appearance of this "Pillar of Fire" should be noted. But also notice another indicator that the "Pillar of Fire" is likely an Old Testament appearance of the Son. In Numbers 9, we find a summary of how the "Pillar of Fire" (and Cloud) led the people through their wilderness wanderings. One of the three major feasts in Israel to which all Jews were commanded to attend was the Feast of Tabernacles (see Leviticus 23:39-44). Tabernacles commemorated 
the wilderness wanderings of the Jews under the leadership of Moses through the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. 

In John 8 we find Jesus calling Himself "The Light of the World" in verse twelve of that chapter. The Apostle John's frequent use of the imagery of "light" in both his Gospels, letters (1 John) and the Book of Revelation (see especially Revelation 1 and 21-22) point to Christ as God incarnate. 

Such Old Testament teachings and truths aid in connecting the appearances of the "pillar of fire" to being the ministry of the Son of God to His people. In closing today, we can note two quick thoughts concerning Jesus Christ as the "Pillar of Fire". 

1. He clearly led the people. Numb. 9:15-16

Jesus Christ led the people of God in those wilderness wanderings. Nehemiah 9:12-13 records these words by Nehemiah some one-thousand years after those events: “And with a pillar of cloud You led them by day, and with a pillar of fire by night to light for them the way in which they were to go.
13 “Then You came down on Mount Sinai, And spoke with them from heaven; You gave them just ordinances and true laws, Good statutes and commandments." 

Jesus in the New Testament is revealed as the "Light of the World", revealing Himself as the Savior and Lord of all those who follow Him by grace through faith. New Testament passages such as Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of faith."

2. He covered and protected the people. Numb. 9:17-23

As we see the Son of God manifesting Himself as the "Pillar of Fire" by night, He also appears as the "Pillar of Cloud" by day. God's people wandering in the wilderness never had to worry about sunburn, exposure and heat in the day. Nehemiah 9:21 states - “Indeed, forty years You provided for them in the wilderness and they were not in want; Their clothes did not wear out, nor did their feet swell." At night, the Son of God illuminated their camp, protecting them from wild animals, fear and exposure. Christ shielded the people. In Hebrews 11:26 we read of Moses - "considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward."

Christ is indeed the believer's Shepherd, Lord, King and Defender that protects, covers and wards off any faith-destroying attacks of the enemy. We are not promised immunity from physical trials nor trouble free-existence in this world. We know that Christ will shield all of those who are truly His from their faith being destroyed (see 1 Peter 1:3-5). 

Closing
We find that Jesus as the "Pillar of Fire" clearly led His people and covered them. Such truth informs the background to Jesus' statement in John 8:12 regarding Him being "the Light of the World". May we find comfort under the light of His presence as He leads us through this world. 

P4 - Solving The Divine Dilemma Of Salvation - Romans 3:21-31

Romans 3:27-31 "Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one.

31 Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law."

Introduction:

We have been exploring these last three posts what we are calling: The Divine Dilemma of Salvation. In other words, how is it that a Holy righteous God could rightly and just acquit sinners whom he desires to forgive? We've considered three of the four particular decisions needing to be made by God the Father, Son and Spirit to ensure the solution to this alleged dilemma. All four are listed below:

1. God the Father had to willingly authorize salvation's plan.

2. God the Son had to willingly accomplish salvation for sinners with the Father's willing to acceptance of His accomplishment.

3. God the Holy Spirit had to willingly apply the salvation accomplished to those responding in faith to His call. 

4. The Father had to willingly agree to accept faith in the accomplished work as necessary and sufficient to acquit the sinner

Paul's exposition of the Gospel in his letter to the Romans centers upon the doctrine of justification by faith. To define once more, Justification by faith, per the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, states:

"Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer unto a relationship of peace and favor with God."

Today we will conclude by noting where all of the combined activities and decisions made by God lead to the solving of the Divine dilemma of salvation. 

The Father has to agree that faith alone is necessary and sufficient to declare the sinner innocent in His sight

Once God has called and convicted the sinner and shown them the awfulness of sin and the awesomeness of Christ, the sinner responds by faith. Justification is a Divine declaration that goes full circle.  It is by God the Father, through God the Son and to God the Holy Spirit for the pleasure of God the Father. We must underscore the fact that all that the Triune God accomplished in making salvation a reality was not the by-product of three-wills, but One Divine will. All three persons share in One Divine nature, which means of course that this is the effort of one, unified will. Henceforth we understand from the Bible that there was never any conflict between the three persons of the Trinity.

In short, the doctrine of justification involved the Son expressing His willingness to co-sign a Divine loan issued by the Father and served by the Spirit to sinners that upon their conviction of sin respond in saving faith.


The Dilemma is solved by God in the truth of justification by faith

By planning, purchasing and applying salvation, God is able to solve the dilemma of justifying sinful human beings without violating His Holy Character. This is the whole point of the closing verses in Romans 3:27-31. Romans 3:21-31 spells all of these Divine decisions by God in full detail. Once we understand that only God could solve the otherwise impossible task of justifying guilty sinners, we can truly see why Justification is by faith alone and not by human effort.

P3 - Solving The Divine Dilemma Of Salvation - Romans 3:20-31

Romans 3:20-21 "because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction."

Introduction:

We have been exploring these last two days what we are calling: "The Divine Dilemma of Salvation". In other words, how is it that a Holy righteous God could rightly and justly acquit sinners whom he desires to forgive? Answering this question is important in better understanding why Biblical salvation is so important. We listed four particular decisions needing to be made by God the Father, Son and Spirit to ensure the solution to this alleged dilemma:

1. God the Father had to willingly authorize salvation's plan.

2. God the Son had to willingly accomplish salvation for sinners with the Father's willing to acceptance of His accomplishment.

3. God the Holy Spirit had to willingly apply the salvation accomplished to those responding in faith to His call. 

4. The Father had to willingly agree to accept faith in the accomplished work as necessary and sufficient to acquit the sinner

Paul's exposition of the Gospel in his letter to the Romans centers upon the doctrine of justification by faith. To define again what we mean by Justification by faith, the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 states:

"Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer unto a relationship of peace and favor with God."

We had looked at the first action done by God in the Person of the Father, namely: God the Father had to willingly authorize salvation's (see Romans 3:21-24). We noted briefly that in eternity, the Father, Son and Spirit had made what theologians call: "a covenant of redemption" between themselves. This internal activity of God was wholly separate from man, since humans and nothing else had yet been created. Today we move forward to consider further decisions made by God in the solving of the Divine dilemma of salvation.

God the Son had to willingly accomplish salvation for sinners with the Father's willing to acceptance of His accomplishment.

Hebrews 10:7 records for us God the Son's words as he was coming from eternity into time: "“THEN I SAID, ‘BEHOLD, I HAVE COME (IN THE SCROLL OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME) TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD.’” The reader will notice that the quotation is in all caps. The NASB does this to indicate that the quote mirrors an Old Testament text from Psalm 40. The Son of God uttered those words coming from eternity into time. The Son of God did this by way of His incarnation as the man Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 1:21-23; Luke 1:35; John 1:14; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 2:11-14). As God, Christ's accomplished work of redemption would be enough, since salvation is of the Lord (see Jonah 2:9). As man, Jesus' shedding of blood would provide the price paid for such salvation - called by scripture "redemption" (see Ephesians 1:7). As Romans 3:24 tells us, this willing act of Christ was a work of redemption - that is - He was paying the price for salvation by a willing offering of His human life on behalf of sinners whom the Father loved. So The Father was willing to show mercy and the Son was willing to come, be incarnated as a man and offer Himself up on behalf of sinners. The Father agreed to accept all the the Son accomplished. But now, what about the Holy Spirit?

God the Holy Spirit had to willingly apply the salvation accomplished to those responding in faith to His call. 

Romans 3:25-26 notes: "whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." At this point, one may wonder where the Holy Spirit is in the Romans passage. In as much as Paul is focusing upon the actions agreed upon between the Father and the Son, the Spirit's involvement is implied. Consequently, in later chapters of Romans 5 and 6, we will see explicit mention of the Holy Spirit's activity in applying all that Jesus achieved and the Father authorized. 

Scriptures such as John 16:8-11 and 2 Timothy 2:25 underscore the fact that unless the Holy Spirit is calling and convicting men and women, no one will choose on their own to get saved. The Spirit's work is His effort in applying the accomplishment of the Son.

Next time we will conclude this study by noting what all this combine working between the Father, Son and Spirit aims for in solving the Divine dilemma of salvation.

P2 - Solving The Divine Dilemma Of Salvation - Romans 3:20-31

Romans 3:20-21 "because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction."

Introduction:

In the last post we considered what we were calling: "The Divine Dilemma Of Salvation". How is it that a Holy righteous God could rightly and just acquit sinners whom he desires to forgive? Answering this question is important in better understanding why Biblical salvation is so important. We closed out by noting four particular decisions needing to be made by God the Father, Son and Spirit to ensure the solution to this alleged dilemma:

1. God the Father had to willingly authorize salvation's plan.

2. God the Son had to willingly accomplish salvation for sinners with the Father's willingness to acceptance of His accomplishment.

3. God the Holy Spirit had to willingly apply the salvation accomplished to those responding in faith to His call. 

4. The Father had to willingly agree to accept faith in the accomplished work as necessary and sufficient to acquit the sinner

Paul's exposition of the Gospel in his letter to the Romans centers upon the doctrine of justification by faith. If we understand what all God did in making such a declaration of a believing sinner's innocence a reality, we will then grasp the glory of justification. Justification by faith is defined by the Baptist Faith and Message 2000:

"Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer unto a relationship of peace and favor with God."

With that review, let's explore how God solved the Divine Dilemma of salvation.

God the Father had to willingly authorize salvation. Romans 3:21-24

In Romans 3:21-24a we read about how willing God the Father was to show mercy to those sinners whom He was wanting to love. 2 Corinthians 5:18 plainly states the merciful heart of God: "Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation". Now at this point we can raise the question: "When did the Father decide to show mercy?" To answer this, theologian Louis Berkhof writes about what is called "a covenant of redemption", which he defines in his Systematic Theology, page 266, as follows:

"Scripture clearly points to the fact that the plan of redemption was included in the eternal decree or counsel of God, Eph 1:4 ff.; 3:11; 2 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 1:9; Jas. 2:5; 1 Pet. 1:2, etc. Now we find that in the economy of redemption there is, in a sense, a division of labor: The Father is the originator, the Son the executor, and the Holy Spirit the applier."

Now even though Paul won't get to the eternal dimensions of salvation until later on in his letter to the Romans, this particular point is worth noting. So, God the Father had to be willingly authorize salvation's plan. Next time we will consider a second important point, namely, God the Son had to willingly accomplish salvation for sinners with the Father's willing to acceptance of His accomplishment.