Justification
" for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" -Rom 3:23-24
Justification, (Gr) dikaisos, is the act of God declaring men free from guilt and acceptable to Him and counting them righteous (Rom 3:25; 5:18). Diakaioma is the only other word rendered justification, found in (Rom 5:16) [1]
Another defines justification as “a judicial act of God in which He declares the sinner free from condemnation, and restores him to divine favor. It takes place when the sinner trusts in Christ and his merits for salvation [2].” It is the only cure for worldwide sin (3:24-31) and a fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant (4:1-25); it was illustrated by him (Abraham) before the law and David after the law.
The believer, though faith is pertinent to the Christian faith must understand that it is by Jesus Christ alone that all are justified [7]. One’s faith whether strong or weak, must grab a hold of the Christ Jesus, by grace through faith in order to be saved. It is not one’s faith that initiates salvation in one’s life, but God Himself, “No one can come to Me (Jesus) unless the Father who sent Me draws him” ;….( Jn. 6:44). The individual must hear the Word of God before faith can even come (Rom. 10:17); hence, the hearing of the Word, which is living, is deposited into the individual, then caused them to develop faith.
It is not the amount of faith that one has that determines if mountains can move, it is the level of one’s knowledge, understanding and revelation of faith that causes them to have a following action,” My people perish for the lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). Jesus said confirmed this idea: “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, be pulled up by the roots and planted in the sea, and it would obey you” (Jn 17:6). The mustard seed, though it be small in size has the ability to uproot trees and move mountains.
Therefore, it is not the degree of faith that determines one’s ability to move mountains, but the understanding of that very faith. One cannot believe in something that they have not the knowledge and word of. They can have an imaginative idea or go on hearsay to believe, but true faith comes by a knowing of the Word of God and believing and trusting; not just mere guessing.
It is only by the power of God that all of this is possible!
Bibliography
Arnold, Bill T. and Beyer, Bryan E. Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey. 2 ed. 2008 [4]
Clark, Gordon. Todays Evangelism: Counterfeit or Genuine? Jefferson, MD: Trinity Foundation, 1990. p. 34 [8]
Dake, Finis J. Dakes i Reference Bible.1999.2010. Lawrenceville, GA 30046 [2]
George, Bob. A Closer look at Law and Grace.2003. Carrollton, TX 75007[3]
Gutierrez, Ben. After Three. 2010. Virginia Beach, VA [7]
Luther, Martin, Galatians (Cambridge: James Clarke, [1535] 1953). p. 145 [5]
Spurgeon, Charles Haddon. Mathew (Grand Rapids: Fleming H. Revell, 1995), p. 171.[10]
Swaggart, Jimmy. Hebrews Bible Commentary. World Evangelism Press. 2001. Baton Rouge, Louisianna [9]
Towns, Elmer L., and David Brown. Theology for Today.2001 [1]
Westminister Confession of Faith. 14:2 [6]
