Justification by Faith – SS1 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Justification means declaring an accused person to be right or innocent.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. define justification and justification by faith;
2. explain why works and the law cannot justify anybody;
3. list the benefits of justification;
4. explain why faith in Jesus is the condition for justification;
5. state the fruits of justification described by Paul.

What is justification by faith?

Justification by faith is the righteousness of God received through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

What is justification?

• Meaning: a person is declared innocent or set free, through the process of law, from a charge brought against him or her.
• Example: a court declares an accused person not guilty, and the person walks free.
• Religious use: God declares a sinner right with him because of Jesus Christ.

Why do people need justification?

• Sin: sin is an offence against God, and it attracts punishment, including death.
• Universal sin: Paul writes, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”
• Human effort: man cannot attain the righteousness of God by his own effort or by observing the law.
• Gift of God: we are justified by faith as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.

How does God justify a sinner?

1. God sent his only Son into the world for the redemption of man.
2. This was the climax of the display of God’s love for man.
3. Jesus died for the sins of mankind.
4. A person believes that the only begotten Son of God died for his sins and receives him by faith.
5. God justifies that person, who receives grace and salvation.
6. The person is set free from the bondage and punishment of sin, receives forgiveness and is considered righteous.

Why do works and the law not justify anybody? (Rom. 4:1-5, Gal. 2:16-21)

Works and the law cannot justify anybody because, according to Paul, faith in God is the only means by which righteousness is received.

• Paul’s teaching: faith in God is the only means whereby righteousness is received and justification is given.
• The case of Abraham: Abraham obeyed God’s instruction to leave his kindred and go to the land God would show him.
• Abraham’s faith: his faith in God was counted for him as righteousness.
• Paul’s conclusion: a man is justified by faith in Jesus Christ, and observing the law cannot justify him.

How do works and faith compare?

Works means the effort a person makes to earn God’s favour, including keeping the law. Faith means trusting God and receiving what he gives.

What are the benefits of justification?

The benefits of justification are the blessings a believer enjoys after being justified by faith in Christ and his promises, as Paul teaches.

1. Peace with God: we enjoy peace with God because our sin is remitted.
2. Reconciliation: we are reconciled to God by the death of Jesus Christ.
3. God’s love: the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit given to us.
4. Access in prayer: we can talk to God in prayer, individually and collectively, because he is our Father.
5. Adoption: we become adopted children of God, and all the blessings meant for sons are given to us.
6. Eternal life: we have the assurance of eternity by faith in Jesus Christ.

Why is faith in Jesus a condition for justification? (Rom. 1:16-17, Rom. 4:1-5)

Faith in Jesus is the condition for justification because justification is not automatic, even though Jesus died for the sins of mankind.

• Not automatic: each person must believe in order to receive justification. Hence justification is by faith.
• Peter’s teaching: “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.” (1 Peter 3:18)
• Righteousness through faith: man is in an unrighteous state, yet he gains the righteousness of God through faith.
• Paul’s text: “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17)
• Faith as currency: faith is the means through which we access justification.
• Old Testament example: the same is true of the patriarchs, such as Abraham, whom Paul cited in Romans 4.
• Abraham’s record: “Abraham believed God, and because of this he was accepted as one who is right with God.”
• Wages and gift: Paul says, “When people work, their pay is not given to them as a gift. They earn the pay they get.”
• Meaning of the wages example: people cannot do any work that will make them right with God, so they must trust in him.
• God’s response: he accepts their faith, and that makes them right with him.

What are the fruits of justification? (Gal. 2:19-21, Gal. 5:22, Rom. 5:1)

The fruits of justification are the new life and the qualities that a justified believer shows through faith in Christ.

What is the new life of a justified believer?

• Dead to the law: man died to the law so that he could live for God.
• Crucified with Christ: we have been nailed to the cross with Christ.
• Christ lives in us: it is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us.
• Life by faith: we still live in the body, but we live by faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
• Freedom: Christ loved us and gave himself to save us from the power of sin and death.

What is the peace that comes with justification?

• Peace with God: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)

What is the fruit of the Spirit?

The fruit of the Spirit is made up of nine qualities listed in Galatians 5:22-23, which a believer can show through justification.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

1. Love: care for God and for other people.
2. Joy: gladness that comes from knowing God.
3. Peace: calmness and harmony with God and others.
4. Longsuffering: patience with people and with hard situations.
5. Gentleness: kindness in speech and action.
6. Goodness: doing what is right and helpful.
7. Faith: trust in God and faithfulness.
8. Meekness: humility and a controlled spirit.
9. Temperance: self-control.

Evaluation

1. What is justification?
2. Explain why a person cannot be justified by observing the law.
3. How did Abraham’s faith help him according to Paul?
4. List four benefits of justification.
5. Name the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23.

Assignment

State the condition for receiving justification, and explain it in four points, using Abraham as an example.