The Living Dead Series

Chico Alliance Church

“The Living Dead”

II. Paul Teaches the Correct Concept of the Gospel of Grace 2:15-4:31

A. The Gospel of Grace Introduced 2:15-21

1. Stated emphatically 15-16

2. Argued Strongly 17-20

3. Held strenuously 21

B. The Gospel of Grace applied to the Galatians 3:1-6

This morning we continue a look into the core of the gospel message. In an age where the message of our freedom in Christ is so obscured and twisted, it is essential we understand the basic truths regarding the “good news”. What we talk about today is essential in regard to your own salvation. What we talk about today is essential to your daily walk and experience of your salvation.

“Justified”

This is an essential concept in the gospel message. If you miss this concept, you miss the point of the gospel and will continue to flounder in spiritual bondage. This is a legal term, borrowed from the law courts. It is the opposite of condemnation. To condemn is to declare somebody guilty. To justify is to declare him not guilty, innocent or righteous. In the Bible, this word refers to God’s unmerited favor lavished upon sinful man by which he voluntarily draws the guilty sinner in right relationship with himself, not only by pardoning him or acquitting him, but warmly accepting him and actually treating him as righteous. This was accomplished on the basis of a substitutionary sacrifice.

Two views emerge in Paul’s letter to the Galatians. In fact, this is the very core of Paul's concern. The false teachers or Judaizers contended that God relates with his creatures on basis of law and therefore personally keeping His laws is the necessary requirement for open relationship with him

Paul contends that God now relates with people on the basis of grace and therefore faith in the work of Christ is the necessary requirement for open relationship with him.

In order to appreciate the work of justification, we must comprehend the gravity of the need. By works of law NO flesh could be justified. There is not other way. It is either God’s way or no way. He is God! He is Judge! He alone dictates the terms. It is not how I feel or think, it is the way God declares. The truth is, no one has ever been able to keep the law to the degree required to satisfy the character of a perfect and Holy God. God declares that our attempts at self-righteousness are as detestable as “filthy rags”.

Many people do not really want a restored relationship with God.

Escape from hell.

Freedom from adversity.

Deliverance from suffering.

But an intimate, dependent relationship with God who is God and not some celestial Santa Claus.

Paul and the apostles believed in Christ because of the confident knowledge, both at conversion and still at his writing, that any person is justified, not on the basis of the works of the law, but through faith in Christ Jesus.

Paul and the others believed in Christ Jesus so that they personally could enter into right standing with God in time and space by hearing God declare them “not guilty” by faith in Christ and not by the keeping the law or trying to keep the law. Paul uses the word “Justified” in the passive tense indicating an action done for them or to them.

Justification is what God does on our behalf. It is a judicial declaration regarding our status of guilt or innocence. We could affirm our own innocence all we wanted and try to make a case for it. Only the judge’s declaration would have any bearing on our legal status. In justification, God declares the sinner NOT GUILTY on the basis of someone else taking the guilt and someone else providing the innocence. No matter who you are, Jew or Gentile, there is only one way to become justified before God and that is through faith in the work of Christ on the principle of grace NOT keeping laws.

Paul declared in Romans 3 that “ALL have sinned and come SHORT (woefully) of the glory of God.” We cannot compare ourselves with others or even to the fact we have kept some laws. The truth is that NO ONE can come through the law or works gate. No one can open it because it is to heavy to lift!

Let’s say the way to life is found on the moon. If we can get to the moon we will be saved. You can see pictures. You can simulate trips to the moon. You can fantasize and pretend you have been to the moon. You can jump, climb trees, ascend tall buildings, fly and airplane. Some will get higher than others and compare their attempts with the lowly achievements of others. The truth is that close does not count. Only reaching the moon will bring life. There is only one way for frail human flesh to achieve such a feat. He must trust the rocket to do the necessary work. It is not personal training or works, it is the rocket. Abiding in the rocket allows for experience and achievement never before possible. You don’t have to build it, only abide in it. I am here to declare to you today that NO flesh shall be justified by the works of law. No one will reach heaven by self-righteousness or self-effort. Only Belief in Christ, the only one who perfectly kept the law, can bring you into right standing before God. Only in Him are we declared “NOT GUILTY by God Himself!!!!”