Acquittal Through Faith In Christ Rom. 5:1
INTRO.: One word used in the New Testament to describe our salvation is "justification." This is a word borrowed from the court room. It has the meaning of being acquitted from guilt for a crime. In our American system of jurisprudence, a person may be acquitted because of insanity, self defense, insufficient evidence, or because it is clearly indicated someone else has committed the crime of which he is accused.
In contrast, the Christian is acquitted of his sinful acts and thoughts because Christ bore his guilt on Calvary. It is the righteousness of Christ that wins our acquittal when we accept His sacrifice as our own.
John Calvin wrote; "We explain justification simply as the acceptance with which God receives us into His favor as righteous men. And we say that it consists of the remission of sins and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness."
The basis of our acquittal from the guilt of sin is our faith in Christ.
We are acquitted, or justified, by the blood of Christ through faith. This is the only hope we have for eternal life.
For this reason, the subject of faith becomes very important. Let’s see what the Bible says about faith that brings justification.
I. What are the beliefs that bring justification in Christ?
A. "Faith" and "belief" are synonymous in the New Testament:
1. Both translate the same Greek word.
2. Hebrews 11:1 expresses the absolute confidence of true faith.
3. Heb. 11:3 gives an example. We did not see the formation of the universe, but it is in existence. Common sense tells us there must be a Creator. The Bible tells us it is God. We believe.
4. Heb. 11:6 uses "faith" and "belief" as synonyms.
B. What, exactly, is the content of saving faith? What must we believe to be saved?
1. After following Jesus for two years, the Apostle Peter came to the conclusion He was God’s Son and He said He would build His Church upon this foundational truth. Matt. 16:16-18
2. Paul’s summary of the Good News about Jesus: I Cor. 15:3, 4. These truths are the bare essentials of belief in Jesus.
3. His victory over death is convincing proof He is God’s son. Rom. 1:4
4. If we believe these things, we should have no trouble surrendering our lives to His control. Not only did He die for us, He rose from the dead and has power to raise us.
C. Even this saving faith is only the beginning of the Christian life:
1. There must be growth and progress in the spirit life just as in the physical.
2. Spiritual growth is a lifetime imperative and involves the development of the divine nature within us. II Peter 1:5-7
II. How is this faith that justifies acquired? How can we be sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see? (Heb. 11:1)
A. Just as in a court of law, belief is based on the testimony of eye witnesses:
1. Jesus prayed for those who would believe through the message of the Apostles. John 17:20 The Apostles were all eye witnesses of the resurrection.
2. John published his testimony in writing so that others might believe and have life. John 20:30, 31. The same can be said of all the New Testament authors.
3. It is made very clear in Rom. 10:17: Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.
4. You can see the importance of knowing God’s Word and sharing it with others.
B. There are many examples in the New Testament to show faith comes through the Word of God, the message of Christ.
1. Acts 2:41: Those who accepted Peter’s message were baptized and added to the Church.
2. Acts 8: 12 When the Samaritans believed the message Phillip preached, they were baptized.
3. Acts 17:2, 3: In Thessalonica, Paul "reasoned" with them from the Scriptures and they were persuaded.
C. But, don’t get the idea you have to know everything in the Bible to arrive at faith and be acquitted:
1. The Ethiopian Nobleman heard only one Gospel sermon (Acts 8:35.) As had Cornelius the Centurion Acts 10), and the Philippian jailor. (Acts 16)
2. More knowledge is desirable, but a simple belief in Jesus Christ as God’s Son and a willingness to surrender to Him is enough to bring acquittal for the guilt of sin. It is the foundation upon which everything else is built.
3. If you are ready to surrender your life to Christ in faith, do not wait until you know everything you want to know about the Bible or Christian life.
III. What is the proof or evidence of faith that leads to acquittal?
A. Some preliminary considerations:
1. God alone can acquit us from the guilt of our sin. He is the One offended in every sin. He alone can forgive.
2. Acquittal is of grace. We do not merit it. God is its Author.
3. Therefore, He has the right to stipulate the terms of pardon and it is reasonable to assume He will reveal them plainly to us, so that we may show evidence of our faith.
4. We ought to submit to and comply with these terms if we wish acquittal.
B. The New Testament is very clear on how we demonstrate our faith:
1. The entire point of Hebrews chapter 11 is to show us how men through the ages demonstrated their faith in God and won His approval.
2. I Pet. 1:22 - "you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth"
3. Rom. 6:17, 18 - we are freed from sin through our obedience to "the form of teaching" we have received from Christ.
4. Clearly, we demonstrate our faith by our obedience to the Gospel.
C. We can wrap up the matter of how to arrive at acquittal if we determine what is "the form of teaching" we have read about.
1. "Form" means a pattern or mold.
2. The pattern revealed by God for our acquittal is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
3. Our obedience takes that pattern. Through faith, we put the old man of sin to death. We bury him in a watery grave. We raise him to new life. Rom. 6:3-8
4. Then, the Christian is called upon to live as though he were dead to sin and alive to God. He must, with the help of God’s Spirit, live a godly life.
CONC.: Portius Cato, the Elder, Roman statesman of the second century BC, was a man of great integrity who made many enemies because of his uncompromising honesty. He was accused and taken into court by his enemies fifty times. He was acquitted each time.
In his old age, he was accused and demanded his bitterest enemy, Tiberius Gracchus, be appointed his judge. Even he acquitted him and declared his innocence. After that, Cato was able to live out his life in honor and security.
God knows us perfectly and is perfectly righteous. He is in a position to be our harshest judge. If He acquits us because of Christ, no one else can condemn us. So, Paul asks, " Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns?" Rom. 8:33, 34
