What Does the Bible Say About Justification By Faith Alone?

Martin Luther 

        Read Romans chapters 3 and 5. The Bible teaches us that the way a person is made right with God is through the doctrine of justification by faith. Justification is one of the most important doctrines in the Bible. This doctrine is the very heart of the gospel. If a church does not teach and preach justification it is a church that has departed from the historic Christian faith.

In the book of Romans the Apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1. All those who have felt the convicting influence of the Holy Spirit in their lives and who have seen themselves as guilty sinners before God long in their souls to have peace with God. 

It is a fearful thing for a sinner to face the wrath of a holy God. So how do we find peace with God? The Apostle Paul answers that question with this verse. “Therefore having been justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

What is justification by faith? The verb “justify” means to declare not guilty. It is a term often associated with the courtroom. When a judge hears the evidence of a case and finds the defendant not guilty he makes a declaration and declares the defendant not guilty. Justification is the act of God declaring the sinner who repents and believes on Christ not guilty in the courtroom of heaven. How can God do this? How can God remain just and punish sin and yet at the same time deal with sin and pardon those who are sinners? The answer is found in the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ. God has condemned sin by laying the sins of all that He has chosen to salvation on His Son and then punishing His Son in their place. In this way God is both just and justifier of the ungodly. God deals with our sins and He transfers the perfect obedience of His Son to those He has chosen to salvation. We should think of it this way, God has transferred our sins to Christ and transferred Christ’s holiness to us. This double transfer is called justification by faith alone.

Why is it important that we believe in the doctrine of justification by faith alone? The doctrine of justification is unique to Christianity. All the other religions of the world practice a works based salvation. Only in the Christian faith can a person be declared not guilty before God and have peace with God based on the work of another. It is the finished work of God’s Son that justifies the believing sinner.

In Romans chapter five the Apostle Paul lists a number of things that happen as a result of justification by faith alone. Here is what Paul says:

1. Justification gives us peace with God.

2. Justification gives us access to God’s presence with boldness.

3. Justification enables us to stand in the presence of God.

4. Justification enables us to rejoice in the hope of our great salvation.

5. Justification is the reason that God pours His love into our hearts.

6. Justification means that we are no longer condemned in God’s courtroom.

7. Justification means that we are totally forgiven of all of our sins past, present and 

        future.  

Questions:

• What is the meaning of justification?

• How is justification related to a courtroom?

• What is the result of justification?

• How can God be both just and justifier of the ungodly?

• Why does the doctrine of justification give a believing sinner peace with God

Who Is Going To Heaven?

Text: Matthew 7:13-14

Introduction:

The Bible is the Word of God. In the Bible it tells us several things that are of great importance to us. First of all it tells us there is a God. The very first verse in the Bible says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1 The Bible also tells us that this God who created the earth also was the creator of mankind. In the early chapters of the book of Genesis we are told that man was made in God’s image. Man was put in the Garden of Eden. Man was given a requirement. He could man could eat of all the fruits of the garden but the fruit of the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil man was not to eat. If he ate of that tree God told him that “He would surely die.” Our first parents Adam and Eve disobeyed the Lord brought death upon the whole human race. The result of that fall of Adam and Eve is that every human being born into the world today has a fallen nature with a tendency or propensity towards sin. 

The Bible also makes it very clear that when people die there's two places they might possibly go. The first place is heaven. What is heaven like there are two verses that give us clues Revelation chapter 21:4,

”And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." 

 And the book of John 14:1-6.  

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know." 5 Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” 

The second place that man might go when he dies is a place called hell. What a Hell like? The Bible tells us in the book of Revelation chapter 20:10.

 “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

This verse is very descriptive of this horrible place called hell. It is important for all people to realize that when they die there are only two places they might end up, either in heaven or hell. 

What I would like to do in this message is to share with you who is going to heaven.

Our Theme: Who Is Going To Heaven?

Our Outline:

1. The Characteristics Of Those Who Are Not Going To Heaven.
2. The Characteristics Of Those Who Are Going To Heaven.
3. The Biblical Teaching On The Way To Get To Heaven.

1. The Characteristics Of Those Who Are Not Going To Heaven.

1. The Scriptures make bit clear:

1. I Corinthians 6:9-11, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” 

2. Galatians 5:19-21, “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

3. Revelation 21:8, “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." 

4. These verses should cause every one of us to sit up and take notice.

2. The Characteristics of those not going to heaven.

1. No liar is going to heaven.
2. No drunkard is going to heaven.
3. No thief is going to heaven.
4. No person who is filled with a spirit of coveting is going to heaven.
5. No immoral person is going to heaven.
6. No person who cannot control his anger is going to heaven.
7. No whore monger is going to heaven. 

1. A womanizer
2. A person who chases immoral women.
3. A person who has “eyes full of adultery.” II Peter 2:14.
4. A person who is hooked on pornography
   
1. No homosexual or lesbian is going to heaven.
2. No murderer is going to heaven.
3. No idolater is going to heaven.
4. No unbeliever is going to heaven.
5. No Atheist is going to heaven.
6. No one practicing witchcraft is going to heaven.
7. No one who is following a false religion is going to heaven.

3. The Bible and the words of Jesus are very clear on these points.

1. Many people think they can sin and still go to heaven.
2. They think if they have a belief in God that’s all they need. James 2:19, “You believe in God you do well, even the demons believe and tremble.”
3. Just because you said a prayer or that you believe in God does not mean that you are going to heaven.

4. Those who practice these things will not inherit eternal life.

1. I John 3:4-9, “ Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.” 

2. Notice in these verses the emphasis on sin.

1. Verse 4, “commits sin…”
2. Verse 6, “…does not sin…”
3. Verse 8, “…he who sins is of the devil…”
4. Verse 9, “…does not sin…”

3. The Scripture is not saying that those who are saved are sinless.  It does not mean that they never sin. So what do these verses mean?

1. They do not practice sin.
2. They do not continue in sin.
3. They do not habitual pursue sin.
4. They may fall occasionally but sin is something that they hate and are trying to overcome by the power of God.

2. The Characteristics Of Those Who Are Going To Heaven.

1. There are many Scriptures that teach us how true believers behave and what we find to be true of them in their character.

1. Our character is a good indicator of what we are really like.
2. How do you describe your thought life? The Bible says, “As a man thinks so is he.” Proverbs 23:7
3. The real you is not the person that people see at church. The real you is what you do when you are in the dark or all alone. 

2. Here is a list of characteristics of those who are going to heaven.

1. Those who are lovers of God.
2. Those who have repented of their sins. Acts 3:19, “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”
3. Those who believe and are baptized, Acts 2:38. “Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” 
4. Those who are born again, John 3:3,”Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 
5. Those who are pure in heart, Matthew 3:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.” 
6. Those who walk in the light, I John 1:7,”But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 
7. Those who keep His commandments, I John 2:3, “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.” 
8. Those who love the brethren, I John 2:11 “But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” 
9. Those who love Christ more than the world, I John 2:15, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 
10. Those who practice righteousness, I John 2:29, “If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.”
11. Those who abide in Christ, I John 3:6, “Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.” 
12. Those whose hearts do not condemn them, I John 3:24, “Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.”
13. Those who overcome the world, I John 5:5, “Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
14. Those who have the Son, I John 5:12, “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” 
15. Those who don’t sin, I John 5:18, “We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.”
1. They don’t live under to dominion and power of sin.
2. They don’t practice sin habitually.

3. The Biblical Teaching On The Way To Get To Heaven.

1. There is a way to heaven that the Scriptures tell us about.

1. Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way fo death.”
2. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man can come to the Father but by Me.”
3. Jesus also said, “…narrow is the way which leaders unto life, and few there be that find it.,”
4. In the New Testament these are the features that speak of the way to heaven:
1. There is a door way to enter, Jesus is that door. “I am the door; by Me is any man enter in, the shall be saved.”  John 10:9.
2. There is a fountain of washing (There is a fountain filled withy blood.)
3. There is a garment to put on. (The righteousness of Christ.)
4. There is a narrow road to walk. (The Christian life.)
5. There is a highway of holiness. (The quality of life that we live before the Lord in holiness and obedience.)

2. This is much like Pilgrim’s Progress written by John Bunyan.

1. John Bunyan was born in Bedfordhire England in 1628.
2. He was a puritan preacher who was a Non-conformist.
3. John Bunyan spent 12 years in prison for his beliefs.
4. He wrote his autobiography, Grace Abounding To The Chief Of Sinners.” He also wrote Pilgrim’s Progress and The Holy War. 
5. Pilgrim’s Progress is an allegory.

3. Here is a summary of the allegory of Pilgrim’s Progress.

1. Pilgrim had a terrible burden on his back. (Sin).
2. Pilgrim was pointed to the wicket gate by the evangelist.
3. Pilgrim’s burden fell off when he came to the cross and the sepulcher.
4. Pilgrim had to climb up the hill of difficulty.
5. Pilgrim had to travel the strait and narrow path.
6. Pilgrim had to pass through the valley of humiliation.
7. Pilgrim had to battle the monster Apollyon.”
8. Pilgrim had to choose to leave Vanity Fair. (The world).
9. Pilgrim had to deal with “Doubting Castle and Giant Despair.”
10. Pilgrim had to cross a river to get to the Celestial City.

4. The Philippian Jailor asked Paul “…Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Peter told him to:

1. This is a great question and  one that we must all face.
2. Here is what we are commanded to do in order to get into heaven.

1. Repent
2. Believe the gospel.
3. Be a follower of God, John 10:27.
4. Become a disciple, Luke 9:23.

Conclusion:

We have been considering the characteristics of those who are going to heaven and the characteristics of those who are going to hell. 

Our theme was: Who Is Going To Heaven?

Our Outline was:

1. The Characteristics Of Those Who Are Not Going To Heaven.
2. The Characteristics Of Those Who Are Going To Heaven.
3. The Biblical Teaching On The Way To Get To Heaven.

The Bible is very clear on these two subjects and does not leave us guessing or wondering. 

Jesus also gave some of the most powerful warnings to His disciples that we must consider. In His famous Sermon On The Mount Jesus said:

• "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14.

• “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them. 21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’" Matthew 7:19-23.

• In Matthew 22:1-10 Jesus gave us the parable of the wedding garment. “

And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: 2 "The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, 3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. 4 Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding." ' 5 But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. 6 And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. 7 But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.' 10 So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.” 

• In Matthew 25:1-13 Jesus gave us the parable of the ten virgins. 

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' 12 But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. 

These parables remind us that on the day of Judgment there will be those who are not prepared, I.e. they are not covered by the garment of Christ’s righteousness, and they are not filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit.”

Do these warnings not stir your soul? Now is the time to make sure you have the wedding garment. Now it the time to make sure you have the oil of the Holy Spirit in your life.

“…Behold, now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation.” II Corinthians 6:2

Made In The Image Of God

The Christian Perspective On 

Race Relations

 Because the political left, in this current war on Christianity, is quick to label any comments that view Western civilization and white European culture positive in any way as bigoted and racist it is necessary to state the Christian perspective on race relations. The Bible teaches that God made all men in His image. As the image bearers of God, all men of every ethnic background are born with a sacred dignity as the apex of God’s creation. This demands that all human beings be treated with respect, dignity, and justice before God. Prejudice based on skin color or ethnic background is a sin and forbidden in the Scriptures. While all men must be treated with biblical justice, righteousness and Christian kindness the behavior of all men is to be evaluated by the laws and commandments of God’s holy word. Therefore, while every person of every ethnic background is to be treated with Christian love and respect, the particular beliefs and behaviors of the various cultures, religions, and world-views are to be accepted or rejected based on their adherence to or departure from God’s word. The result of this may include censure, rebuke, or condemnation. 

 Not all cultures, religions, lifestyles, beliefs, or practices are endorsed by the Holy Scriptures. When any belief or practice departs from God’s Word it will and must be rejected by the Christian church. To do otherwise is to be unfaithful to the Christians high calling in Christ Jesus. In every era of every century since the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the founding of His church Christians have faced the culture, kings, kingdoms, parliaments, and people of the world and have declared, “Thus saith the Lord.”

 Because of their courageous stand through the centuries, many of God’s choicest servants have been imprisoned, tortured, killed and martyred. The religious freedoms that our forefathers bequeathed us  are being slowly taken away. Christians are under increasing pressure to either compromise their faith or to remain silent on issues where the Bible speaks. Personal rejection, persecution, stiff penalties, and imprisonment is rapidly increasing in the Western world towards those who take a stand on biblical issues.

Christians are now being called bigots and racists for being faithful to the historic Christian faith. But God’s people must fearlessly repeat what German reformer Martin Luther said before the Diet of Worms, “My conscience is captive to the Word of God…Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen.”

The Danger Of Not Applying What You Read, Hear, And Study

"...For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required." Jesus, spoken in Luke 12:48

 To all my brothers and sisters in Christ! As you read good books, listen to great sermons, study deep theology, and read the Bible, beware that you apply and practice what you are taking in. "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14. The following warning from Thomas Brooks should give us reason to  search our hearts.

“If it is not strong upon your heart to practice what you read, to what end do you read? To increase your own condemnation? If your light and knowledge be not turned into practice, the more knowing a man you are, the more miserable a man you will be in the day of recompense; your light and knowledge will more torment you than all the devils in hell. Your knowledge will be that rod that will eternally lash you, and that scorpion that will forever bite you, and that worm that will everlastingly gnaw you; therefore read, and labor to know that you may do--or else you are undone forever.” Puritan Thomas Brooks

Holiness in this life prepares us for happiness in the life to come. God bless you all! 

Pastor Robert L. Dickie

Why Would Anyone Want To Read 

The Bible?

Someone once said, “God’s Word will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from God’s Word.”

I've spent my entire life telling people about Jesus Christ. I was converted as a young man at the age of 16. Now, I get up in the morning, I look in the mirror, and I'm almost 70 years old. The years have come and the years have gone. I have enjoyed many unbelievable blessings from the Lord. My life has been rich and spiritually fulfilling. But I also have regrets. I regret I have not done more, loved more, forgiven more, lived better, obeyed more consistently, lived for Christ more passionately. I regret I do not have more lives to give my Savior. I identify with the hymn writer who cried, "O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise."

  If an angel stood before me and said, "The Father at the throne is asking for volunteers to go to the front lines and there resist the powers of darkness and die for Jesus will you go?" I would shout like Isaiah of old, as loud as I could, "Here am I send me." Isaiah chapter 6 verse eight. Indeed, the hymn writer has stated it right, "Love so amazing, so divine demands my life my soul my all."

  Let me plead with you to take up your Bibles and to read them as if your eternal destiny depends upon it—it does. Let me plead with you to confess all past sins of negligence and to read your Bibles with a holy desperation. Time is passing by so quickly. Eternity is coming at a terrifying speed. Too many people live like the fool that Jesus spoke about in the parable in Luke 12,

"Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully.

 And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?' 

So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 

And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry." ' 

But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?'

 So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." 

Let me plead with you to read your Bibles with this prayer to God, "Dear Lord, open  the eyes of my soul, that in this book, I might see my need of Jesus."

The great tragedy of life is that so many people spend their entire lives without having read the greatest piece of literature the world has ever known, the Bible.

They'll be ignorant of the greatest love letter ever written to man. This is God's love letter to you.

They will have spent a lifetime and countless hours on TV, degrading movies, cheap entertainment that is more detrimental than elevating.

These individuals will never know the rich treasures that the Bible unfolds to us. They will never appreciate a book whose thrilling stories, unmatched poetry, fascinating histories, and compelling teaching is far more profound than any philosopher, more mysterious and enchanting than "Star Wars," "Game of Thrones," J.R.R. Tolkien's “Lord of the rings, or even C.S. Lewis’ "Chronicles of Narnia."

The Bible opens up worlds for us that we never knew existed. It gives us a challenge to face, a mountain to climb, a reason to live, and a purpose for life.

Millions of people go through life like zombies, more dead than alive. Filled with emptiness, loneliness, having no purpose, no joy, and no hope for the future.

Can anything be more challenging in life than to walk with the true and living God?

Can anything be more fulfilling than to serve and your fellow man by serving the high King of heaven Jesus Christ?

Can anything be more rewarding than to live for the glory of God?

Can there be anything more important than seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness?

Can there be any comfort more profound than to know your sins are forgiven?

Can there be any joy greater than to know that you are destined for heaven?

Can there be any peace greater than the peace of God?

The Bible opens up for us all these precious joys and blessings.

If we were really wise, we would consider the Bible the greatest treasure and most priceless possession we owned.

Solomon challenged his son in Proverbs 2:1-5 to read the Scriptures. His words are really the words of our Father in heaven. Here is what our heavenly Father says to us about reading His Holy Word, the Bible:

"My son if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you. So that you incline your ear to wisdom, apply your heart to understanding, yes if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding. If you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God." 

Our Father in heaven is telling us that when we read the Bible we find things more valuable to us for our lives than  silver and hidden treasures. 

Jesus said to His disciples, “Search the Scriptures…these are they which testify of Me.” The greatest treasure you will find in the reading of the Word of God is the hidden treasure of a personal relationship with God’s Son Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 40:8,  "The grass withers the flowers fade, but the word of our God shall stand forever.”

My friend, read the book that does not wither and never fades but stands forever. Read the book that will give you the pragmatic solutions to every problem of life, that will give you the secret of your existence, that will teach you how to live and prepare you for death. Read the Book that will nourish your soul and lead you to heaven. Read the book that will lead you to Christ. Read the Word of the Living God.