Thursday, 5th October 2023
Andrews Ampomah
TOPIC: FAITH ALONE
THEME SCRIPTURE: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Romans 5:1
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
- What does it mean to be justified by faith Alone?
Humanity has a long history of self-delusion, believing that we are or have some good in us as a result of some perceived moral uprightness. Unfortunately, this assumption of good has never been true. The Bible makes it clear that humanity is fallen and sinful, unable to attain God's standard of righteousness on its own. Romans 3:9-18 demonstrates a sobering portrait of human sinfulness and Romans 8:7 affirms that the natural man is hostile to God. Genesis 2:17 reveals that because of Adam's sin, we all are sentenced to death. We also lost our right standing before God. We had no way of reaching out to God to make peace. God is just but He is also loving. If He does nothing about man’s predicament, then where is His love? Yet if He doesn’t enforce the consequences of sin then where is His justice?
In man’s hopelessness, God sent His kind (Christ Jesus) as the only remedy to bridge God’s justice and love, so that we could attain His standard of righteousness.
Reflecting on the doctrines of man’s depravity, God’s justice and wrath, God’s righteousness (Rom 2-4), there is revealed a consolation that brings peace to all who believe: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 5:1). Biblically, the word justification simply means to be declared righteous or to have a right-standing before God. Paul here affirms that through Christ Jesus the full penalty of our past, present, and future sins have been paid. When Christ Jesus said “It is finished” on the cross (John 19:30), it signified the complete appeasement (propitiation) of God's wrath. In God’s court, we took on Christ’s righteousness while He took on our sins. Jesus accomplished everything necessary to attain God's righteousness on the cross for us; His atoning work was perfect and final.
God declares you “not guilty” when you put your faith in Christ Jesus and His finished work. This is what it means to be justified by faith alone.
Dearly beloved in Christ Jesus, I couldn’t agree more with Martin Luther when he declared that justification by faith alone was “the article by which the church stands or falls.” It serves as the fulcrum on which Christianity spins and finds its true essence. A Christian who comprehends and values the significance of what it means to be justified before God—declared right and clothed in Christ's righteousness—will possess an unwavering assurance and inner peace. Knowing that salvation hinges entirely on embracing the completed work of Christ Jesus, there is an unshakable confidence that one's salvation cannot be lost. It is not contingent upon personal efforts or works; it firmly rests upon the unchanging foundation of Christ (the Solid Rock) and His finished work on the Cross. This is the Gospel. Hallelujah!
FURTHER READING – Romans 5:1-21
Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- How well do you understand Christ’s vicarious death on the cross and the implications it has for the Christian?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to die in my place so I would be clothed with Your righteous requirements in Him. Help me that by Your Holy Spirit I will understand what it truly means to be justified by faith alone and let that understanding work in me both to will and do of Your good pleasure in Christ Jesus.
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
1 Chronicles 20; 1 Chronicles 21; Ezekiel 31; Ephesians 1; Ephesians 2
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