Lutherna View of Church and State

LESSON NINE

2006-2007

JUSTIFICATION

I. The term “Freely”. (p. 526)

A. Ro 3:24.

B. Hebrew derive “grace” and “freely” from same root (Latin does same).

C. Greeks “could not make an adverbial form of charis”, used term dōrean (p. 526)

D. Term used in a threefold sense. (p. 527)

1. It is used in opposition to the payment of a reward.

a. Gen 29:15.

b. Ex 21:2.

2. It means “without just cause,” “rashly,” “out of frivolity or insolence”.

a. Ps 35:19.

b. Ps 119:161.

3. It is used in opposition to merit, whether good or evil.

a. 1Sa 19:5 (“for no reason”).

b. 1Ki 2:31 (“innocent”/“shed without cause”).

E. Therefore, the cause of our acceptance is not in us but in the free goodness of God Himself.

F. Added to “grace” to show that God in article of justification “does not regard worthiness, merit, cause, form, or anything inherent in us by whatever name you call it as the reason for receiving us into grace.” (M.C., p. 528)

G. Ps 103:10.

H. Language opposes the idea of payment (not just supports idea of gift and liberality of God).

II. The word “Imputation”. (p. 528)

A. Ro 4: (“credited”/“imputed”).

1. v.v. 3,4.

2. v. 6.

3. v. 24.

B. Papists

1. Faith formed by love and other virtues imputed for righteousness, i.e. God accepts the works.

2. Jesuits: God considers the faith found in man to be worthy, and to this faith is given and conferred the inherent righteousness through which we are saved. (imputed righteousness becomes inherent righteousness).

C. M.C.: “...God, out of His free mercy for the sake of Christ, regards the believers, whose nature is still contaminated by various sins, as righteous. And as righteous He awards them salvation and eternal life, not with respect to inherent righteousness but imputed righteousness.” (p. 528)

D. Ro 4:4,5: basis is not in person to whom it is made, but in the grace and mercy of God.

E. Eph 2:8 “not from yourselves”.

F. Ro 4 - Abraham had many virtues, but was imperfect and unclean.

G. 2Co 5:19 - imputes as if actually did inhere in man.

H. The “basis” of imputation is not in man, but in the grace of God.

I. A contrary “basis” is found if God should wish to enter into judgment with him. (This must be covered so that sin is not imputed to us.)

J. This imputation is also a “relationship” of the Divine mind and will.

K. Ro 3:31: God’s Law cannot be annulled.

L. 1Co 1:30.

M. 2Co 5:21.

N. Thus, we will have a complete “relationship”.

1. “Basis” is in obedience and redemption, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2. “Relationship” is the grace and mercy of God.

3. “Goal” is the believing person.

4. M.C.: “Faith, laying hold on this righteousness of Christ and thereby on the grace and mercy of God in the promise, is said to be imputed for righteousness, not insofar as faith is a virtue inhering in us, but because by this means or instrument the ‘relationship’ of God applies this ‘basis’ to the “goal’” (p. 530)

O. cf Ps 106:30,31.

1. Act imputed for righteousness.

2. Remember, two kinds of imputation, one of works and the other of faith.

3. In article of justification, imputation takes place apart from works.

4. Gal 3:10.

5. God accepted Phinehas’ savage act as a righteousness work, covering and remitting the stains with which it was tainted, but Phinehas, the person, was certainly not justified before God thereby.

III. The Works of the Law. (p. 531)

A. Gal 3:11: But what is this Law and what works are excluded?

B. Question does not pertain to the effects or fruits following justification by faith.

C. Paul speaks not only of ceremonial laws of Moses, but also the entire Law.

1. Moral Law included.

a. Ro 3:19,20.

b. Ro 7:7.

2. Entire Law.

a. Gal 3:10-12.

b. Gal 3:21.

c. Lk 10:27,28.

d. Antithesis not between doing the ceremonial and doing the moral law, but between “doing” and “believing”.

D. No law was given which could make alive (Gal 3:21 above).

E. Articles of justification and new obedience are separate and distinct.

F. Righteousness of the Law and righteousness of faith are opposed to one another.

G. Works following faith, if they are commanded by God, are works of the Law - which in us are imperfect.

1. Ro 7:21.

2. Our works, as the regenerate, need remission.