Benefits of Justification – Adult STS Lesson 233

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Romans 5:1 (Memory Verse)

Introduction

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Apostle Paul had shown in our previous studies that justification is a gift of grace to all who have faith in Christ. It is the reckoning of an otherwise sinful person as righteous before God. He cited the classic example of Abraham and reminded his readers that he, coming from an idolatrous background, was justified because he believed God and his faith was reckoned to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6). If you missed it, read Adult STS Lesson 232: Justification by Faith.

In the present study, the apostle focuses on the great benefits which accrue to all believers by virtue of justification or “the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe; for there is no difference” (Romans 3:22). He shows how both Adam and our Lord Jesus Christ acted in representative capacities for man. Although the disobedience of Adam brought sin and death to humanity, the obedience and righteousness of Christ did more than recover us from the consequence of the Fall. In other words, the benefits that accrue to us from being justified by faith in Christ far outweigh the misery and loss which we suffered in Adam.

UNIQUE PRIVILEGES OF JUSTIFIED BELIEVERS

Romans 5:1-11; Ephesians 2:14-18; 2 Timothy 2:12; Titus 2:1,12

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1,2). Our text reveals the blessings and benefits we have by virtue of being justified in Christ. These benefits include peace with God, access to His grace and joy of the expectation of the glory of the justified saints at last. Before being justified by faith, a sinner is alienated from God by wicked works (Colossians 1:21). Justification brings an end to our enmity with Him, brings us into reconciliation and peace in our souls through Christ, the justifier. “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us” (Ephesians 2:14). Our sin creates enmity with God but wiping them away in Christ brings peace and reconciliation.

Besides, justification brings the limitless possibilities of God’s grace, an indispensable companion in our earthly pilgrimage. By it, we are enabled to please God and empowered to overcome temptations and satanic enticements. It enables a believer stand victorious against worldly lusts and ungodly conducts to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world (Titus 2:11,12). Although justification does not provide an escape from trials, it opens the door of grace in every situation, enabling us to overcome and bear witness to the truth and power of the gospel. Moreover, the death and resurrection of Christ are not the only means of our justification, but purveyors of “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4). Also, remembrance of the coming glorification in God’s kingdom provides support during trials and persecution (2 Timothy 2:12).

Joy in Tribulation

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:3-5). As a result of the peace which justification brings, tribulations or trials designed by the enemy to frustrate and derail us, are turned into a positive end. In much the same way as our bodily muscles and skills are strengthened by usage, tribulation, when taken positively, strengthens our patience; for example, the experience of the early apostles at the hands of the high priest and the Sadducees. After they were beaten and commanded not to speak any more in the name of Jesus, they “…departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name” (Acts 5:41).

In the absence of grace, tribulation produces impatience, frustration and anger. “And patience, experience; and experience, hope”. When a believer endures tribulation and trials, there is comfort from the Holy Spirit and a reminder of the reality and genuineness of our faith. It strengthens our hope in God and in the knowledge that He will always be there for us, no matter the challenges. “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Justified saints can be assured that their hope of glory will not prove false because, by the working of the Holy Ghost we appreciate the power and depth of the love that the Father has bestowed on us (2 Corinthians 5:14). Nothing can separate us from the cord of God’s love (Romans 8:35-39).

Christ Died for Us While We Were Sinners

The statement, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6), is further proof that believers would not be ashamed here or hereafter. The fact that God went as far as demonstrating His love for humanity by allowing His only begotten Son to die for us is further evidence that He will save us to the uttermost. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (verse 8).

Before the substitutionary death of Christ, human race lay in a helpless slavery to sin. Wickedness, disobedience and disregard for God’s commandment were the universal nature and practice of humanity. The Scripture describes the unjustified as being “by nature the children of wrath, even as others” (Ephesians 2:3). The wonderful thing however is that, while we were in this situation of enmity and rebellion against God, Christ died for us. The apostle inferred that, “if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (verse 10).

It is certainly more congruous and more to be expected for Christ to save us after we are reconciled to God than ever it was to die for us while we were enemies to God by wicked works. “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” (Romans 5:9). Believers are guaranteed the final salvation if they abide in “…our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement” (verse 11).

UNIVERSAL GUILT AND CONDEMNATION OF HUMANITY

Romans 5:12-15; Genesis 2:15-17; 6:5; Psalm 53:3; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Hebrews 9:27

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). The sin of disobedience by Adam caused alienation and resulted in the loss of fellowship and peace with God. It altered the nature of man and opened a floodgate for other iniquities. The corruption of Adam’s nature therefore became the corruption of all his descendants. However, our justification and atonement brought far greater benefits and blessings than the evils occasioned by Adam’s transgression.

The reason God can justly declare an ungodly sinner justified is because Jesus Christ, as man’s Representative, fully obeyed God where Adam disobeyed. Being righteously qualified made Him acceptable to die in the place of all sinful seeds of Adam. Therefore, when a sinner repents and accepts Jesus Christ by faith, God imputes the righteousness of Christ to him or her, just as the sinful nature of Adam was passed to us. By dying on Calvary’s cross, Christ acted in a representative capacity for everyone, Jew or Gentile. The apostle teaches that it was similarly by the law of representation that Adam’s sin was imputed unto us (verse 12). Both Adam in his disobedience and Christ in His obedience acted respectively for humanity.

Adam, a Type of Christ

Therefore, Adam is described in Scripture as a type of Christ. “Nevertheless death reigned… over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come” (verse 14); Christ is also described as the last Adam: “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit” (1 Corinthians 15:45). Thus, in Adam, death, the consequence of sin passed unto all “for that all have sinned”. The nature of Adam as well as all his seeds became corrupted by the fall and the inherited sin-nature, which lies at the root of the commissioning of sin by all.

Similarly, Christ’s perfect obedience and righteousness won pardon and justification for us. The righteousness of Christ is not however imputed unto everyone by nature but through repentance and accepting Him as Lord and Saviour. In summary, justification in the Old Testament was not the result of any of the claims which were exclusive to the Jews, such as circumcision or the law of Moses, but by faith, which Abraham exemplified. “Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all” (Romans 4:16).

UNPARALLELED RICHES OF GOD’S GRACE

Romans 5:16-21; Ephesians 1:7,8; 2:7-9; 1 Timothy 1:14; Romans 4:16

God’s grace through Christ has a counter-balancing effect on humanity’s many transgressions. It surpasses all human weaknesses, inadequacies and sins. Its depth cannot be fathomed, its breath immeasurable and its height unreachable. Though Adam’s sin corrupted the entire human nature and opened the floodgate of other sins, the power of the righteousness of Christ imputed to believers by grace covers all sins committed by all. The implication is that there is more power in Christ’s imputed righteousness to commend believers to God’s inheritance, favour and forgiveness than there is alienation and enmity in the sin of Adam to condemn and separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:35-39).

“For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17). Grace is God’s free favour bestowed on humanity for the purpose of our redemption, abundant blessings and eternal inheritance.

Five Blessings Enjoyed by Partakers of Grace

1. Forgiveness of their sins at the expense of Christ (Ephesians 1:7).
2. The gift of righteousness and holiness “without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14; Romans 5:17; Luke 1:75).
3. We become partakers of God’s nature (2 Peter 1:4).
4. We possess abundant life of the Spirit and His gifts despite abounding sinfulness around us (Romans 5:20).
5. We reign in life above principalities, powers and the hosts of evil (verse 21).

However, entrance into the abundant riches of God’s graces can only come through genuine repentance, confession of sin and acknowledging Christ as Lord and personal Saviour.

Questions for Review

1. Define justification in your own words.
2. How and when was Abraham justified?
3. Mention some benefits of justification in Christ.
4. In what sense is Christ called the last Adam?
5. Explain justification by faith and highlight the place of works in a believer’s life.
6. How can you prove that a justified believer gains more in Christ than he lost through Adam?
7. Why do we say that God’s grace is incomparable?