The Great Apostle, Paul, wrote these profound words in his masterful treatise we know as the Book of Romans:

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it – the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,  and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.  (Romans 3.21-25)

The word “justification” is both biblical and practical. Because it is a biblical word, it not a word that should be ignored or merely glossed-over. It warrants our consideation, contemplation, and understanding. More than just being a biblical word, though, the concept of justification holds a central place in the message the Apostle is proclaiming. It is like the lynch-pin that holds together the various components of salvation.

Author and seminary professor Dustin Benge offers these thoughts to help us consider the doctrine of justification:

The doctrine of justification by faith alone is vital for the church:

1. It is essential for salvation: The Bible teaches that we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ, apart from any works we may do. Without this doctrine, we would have no assurance of our salvation.

2. It guards against legalism: Justification by faith alone guards against the idea that we can earn our salvation through good works or religious rituals. This protects us from the dangers of legalism, which can lead to self-righteousness and pride.

3. It upholds the sufficiency of Christ: By emphasizing that we are saved by faith in Christ alone, justification by faith alone upholds the sufficiency of Christ’s atoning work on the cross. It teaches that we cannot add anything to what Christ has already accomplished for us.

4. It promotes unity in the church: The doctrine of justification by faith alone promotes unity in the church, as it is a shared understanding of the gospel that transcends cultural and denominational differences.

5. It encourages evangelism: The doctrine of justification by faith alone provides a clear message of salvation to share with others. It encourages us to share the gospel with confidence, knowing that salvation is based on faith in Christ alone.

Overall, the doctrine of justification by faith alone is vital for the church because it is central to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Famed philosopher Blaise Pascal noted:

“Ecclesiastes shows that man without God is in total ignorance and inevitable misery.”

Elaborating on the message of Ecclesiastes, Pascal summarazied it in these words:

“We do not rest satisfied with the present. We anticipate the future as too slow in coming, as if in order to hasten its course; or we recall the past, to stop its too rapid flight. So imprudent are we that we wander in the times which are not ours and do not think of the only one which belongs to us; and so idle are we that we dream of those times which are no more and thoughtlessly overlook that which alone exists.

For the present is generally painful to us. We conceal it from our sight, because it troubles us; and, if it be delightful to us, we regret to see it pass away. We try to sustain it by the future and think of arranging matters which are not in our power, for a time which we have no certainty of reaching.

Let each one examine his thoughts, and he will find them all occupied with the past and the future. We scarcely ever think of the present; and if we think of it, it is only to take light from it to arrange the future. The present is never our end. The past and the present are our means; the future alone is our end.

So we never live, but we hope to live; and, as we are always preparing to be happy, it is inevitable we should never be so.”

While studying the Book of Hebrews this week, in preparation Sunday’s message, I stumbled upon this recitation of Hebrews 9 & 10 by a guy named Ryan Ferguson. I was impressed as I listened to him present these chapters through oral interpretation. Ferguson’s performance of these verses offers a perspective that both resonates with my reading of the passage and yet is also distinct at the same time.. Powerful!

‘My sin is ever before me’ ~ Psalm 51.3  

A humble soul sees that he can stay no more from sin, than the heart can from panting, and the pulse from beating. He sees his heart and life to be fuller of sin, than the firmament is of stars; and this keeps him low. He sees that sin is so bred in the bone, that till his bones, as Joseph’s, be carried out of the Egypt of this world, it will not out. Though sin and grace were never born together, and though they shall not die together, yet while the believer lives, these two must live together; and this keeps him humble. 

~ Thomas Brooks, English Puritan

J. Gresham Machen, in his classic book, Christianity & Liberalism, writes:

In the sphere of religion, in particular, the present time is a time of conflict; the great redemptive religion which has always been known as Christianity is battling against a totally diverse type of religious belief, which is only the more destructive of the Christian faith because it makes use of traditional Christian terminology.

Michael Kruger, President of Reformed Theological Seminary @ Charlotte, has winsomely, and thoughtfully, explored the foundational differences between what is called “Progressive Christianity”, as opposed to historic expression of the Faith.

In a blog post, more recently published as a book, Kruger examines the 10 core tenets of progressive (or contemporary liberal) Christianity offered by Richard Rohr, which was based on a book by Philip Gulley.

1. Jesus is a model for living more than an object of worship.
2. Affirming people’s potential is more important than reminding them of their brokenness.
3. The work of reconciliation should be valued over making judgments.
4. Gracious behavior is more important than right belief.
5. Inviting questions is more valuable than supplying answers.
6. Encouraging the personal search is more important than group uniformity.
7. Meeting actual needs is more important than maintaining institutions.
8. Peacemaking is more important than power.
9. We should care more about love and less about sex.
10. Life in this world is more important than the afterlife (eternity is God’s work anyway).

Like the liberal understanding of Christianity in Machen’s day, “Progressive Christianity” is not simply represent a different denominational perspective, nor is it just a variant version of the faith, it seems an entirely different religion altogether.

Suggested Resources:

Christianity & Liberalism and Hermeneutical Presuppositions by Vern Poythress

Christianity & Liberalism Audio Book (7 Parts)

“We are not citizens of this world trying to make our way to heaven; we are citizens of heaven trying to make our way through this world. That radical Christian insight can be life-changing. We are not to live so as to earn God’s love, inherit heaven, and purchase our salvation. All those are given to us as gifts; gifts bought by Jesus on the cross and handed over to us. We are to live as God’s redeemed, as heirs of heaven, and as citizens of another land: the Kingdom of God. We live as those who are on a journey home: a home we know will have the lights on and the door open and our Father waiting for us when we arrive. That means in all adversity our worship of God is joyful, our life is hopeful, our future is secure. There is nothing we can lose on earth that can rob us of the treasures God has given and will give us. ”

~ from The Landisfarne

Scottish Puritan Jeremiah Burroughs mused:

All men are afraid of afflictions and troubled at affliction, but where is the man or woman that fears sin and flies from the serpent, and is troubled at sin more than any affliction?

It got me thinking. What if I borrowed and re-purposed Burroughs’ question:

All are afraid of affliction and troubled by the fear of this virus. But where is the man or woman who fears sin and is troubled by sin more than he or she is troubled by and fears  the coronavirus?  Where is the man or woman who is as vigorous about protecting our hearts from the infection of sin within as we are presently about washing our hands and covering our faces to prevent the virus from infecting our lungs?

An even more immediate crucial question: Am I such a man?

I admire Martin Luther’s attitude in the midst of the bubonic plague:

“I shall ask God be merciful to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, He will surely find me, and I have done what He has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person. I shall go freely… See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.”

Note to Self: May I live to honor God by loving and serving my neighbors to the best of my abilities during our present health crisis.