3.9 Justification by Faith                            

 

1. On what basis does justification rest on God's part?
Titus 3:7 That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

 

2. By what means is this justifying grace made available to the sinner?
Romans 5:9 Much more, then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

 

3. How does one appropriate justification?
Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

 

4. What is the only way by which sinners can be justified?
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

 

5. What tangible example clarifies the meaning of this doctrine?
Genesis 15:5-6
5 And He brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and He said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
6 And he believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness.

 

6. How is the righteousness thus obtained described?
Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

7. Upon what basis does justification rest?
Romans 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

 

8. Upon what basis is the reward given to one who works?
Romans 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

 

9. Upon what condition is faith credited for righteousness?
Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

 

10. How does grace, being the basis of justification, exclude the righteousness that is by works?
Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

 

11. In what way are both Jews and Gentiles justified?
Romans 3:29-30
29 Is He the God of the Jews only? is He not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

 

12. What words testify of Abraham's faith in God?
Romans 4:20-21
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
21 And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform.

 

13. What was the result?
Romans 4:22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

14. How can we obtain that same imputed righteousness as our own?
Romans 4:23-24
23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

 

15. Why must justifying faith lay hold upon both the death and the resurrection of Christ?
Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
1 Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

 

16. What is inseparably linked to the experience of righteousness by faith?
Acts 13:38-39
38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
39 And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

 

17. How has Christ made it possible for righteousness to be credited to the sinner?
Romans 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous.

 

18. What prophetic declaration foretold this truth?
Isaiah 45:25 In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

 

19. What other prophecy speaks of this same important truth?
Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall My righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities.

 

20. What does Christ’s imputed righteousness enable God to do while remaining righteous?
Romans 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

 

21. By what name is Christ appropriately called?
Jeremiah 23:5-6
5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
6 In His days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

 

22. What blessed experience follows upon receiving Christ as our righteousness?
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

 

23. What does Christ thereby become for the believer?
Ephesians 2:14 For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

 

24. On what basis is there no possibility for the sinner to be justified?
Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

 

25. How does the death of Christ testify to this?
Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

 

26. What is proven by every attempt to be justified by the law?
Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

 

27. How was it that Israel did not attain righteousness?
Romans 9:31-32
31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

 

28. What is revealed by the law?
Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

 

29. What bears witness to the truth of the righteousness which is obtained by faith, apart from the works of the law?
Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

 

30. Does faith make void the law of God?
Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

 

31. What Scripture passage shows that the righteousness received by grace through faith is not a reason for continuing in sin?
Romans 6:1-2
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

 

32. Does faith exclude works?
James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

 

33. What is the evidence of true, living faith?
James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

 

34. What then are the visible evidences of true justification by faith?
James 2:22,24
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.