June 19
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; for by the works of the Law no flesh shall be justified,” Galatians 2:16.
What do we mean by the teaching or doctrine of justification? If you are a member of a Christ-exalting Christian Church, then you know that we speak of objective and subjective justification.
Objective justification means that in the Gospel, God offers the forgiveness of sins, which was gained by Christ for all people. God declared the whole world justified and forgiven for Jesus’ sake. Jesus paid the price for the redemption of all people on the cross at Calvary. “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation . . . (God) made (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him,” 2 Corinthians 5:19, 21. Jesus did not suffer and die for perfect people. He suffered and died to redeem sinners, one and all. “God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us,” Romans 5:8.
Subjective justification means that by faith we believe and trust that God has declared us justified, and all our sins are forgiven for Jesus’ sake. “A man is not justified by the works of the Law but by faith in Jesus Christ.” We are not justified and forgiven by what we say or do according to the Ten Commandments. Look into the mirror of God’s Law, the Ten Commandments, and you are convicted of your sins – your open sins and your hidden sins, your big sins and your little sins, your sins in thought, desire, word, and deed.
The Ten Commandments expose us as sinners who are unable to save ourselves and unable to receive any special recognition by God. Paul wrote to the Romans, “Therefore by the deeds of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the Law is the knowledge of sin,” Romans 3:20. The same message that was addressed to the Galatians was also written by the apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans: “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the Law,” Romans 3:28.
Trying to save yourself by the good works you do is as hopeless as trying to lift yourself up by your own shoelaces. Stand up and try it sometime!
The teaching or doctrine of justification by God’s grace, for Christ’s sake, through faith alone is the chief teaching of the Christian Church. It distinguishes the Christian Church from all false churches, which teach that people are saved by what they do or do not do. The doctrine of justification gives total and enduring comfort to sorrowing sinners. “(Christ) died for all,” 2 Corinthians 5:15 – no sinner is excluded! And, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin,” 1 John 1:7. No sin is too great or too grievous, too black or too horrible that it cannot be forgiven!
“When sinners see their lost condition
And feel the pressing load of sin,
And Jesus cometh on His mission
To heal the sin-sick heart within,
All grief must flee before His grace,
And joy divine will take its place.
When Jesus comes, O blessed story!
He works a change in heart and life.
God’s kingdom comes with pow’r and glory,
To young and old, to man and wife.
Thro’ Sacrament and living Word,
Faith, love, and hope are now conferred.” Amen.