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Pastor Wade Burleson





Justified Freely by His Grace

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Romans 3:20-24 (KJV)
  1. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
  2. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
  3. Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
  4. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
  5. Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Justified Freely by His Grace

Romans 3:20-24

Throughout the Middle Ages, a time when men thought long and hard on how a man was made right with God, there were several prominent views held by the Roman Church.

  • Many believed God loved sinners in so far as they had the potential to not be sinners. A modern parallel would be someone promising God to be better in the future.
  • Others spoke of the necessity of an absolutely selfless act of contrition (sorrow) and love for God by natural means if a person was to be saved. A modern parallel would be self- examination to see if "you really meant what you prayed," or, being asked by another "were you sincerely genuine when you gave your life to Christ?"
  • Some believed justification in the eyes of God was a moral transformation of life. Thomas Aquinas, the great Catholic theologian, spoke of justification as "infused grace." The unjustified person was given inner grace to become justified. This "justification" was accomplished by cooperating with the Holy Spirit. A modern parallel would be "God has done all He can do, now it is up to you!"

These false theologies of justification led to doubt, fear, and finally despair, for a sinner wishing to be saved. Romans 3:20-24 wipes away all doubt as to how a sinner is justified. Justification is a forensic declaration, that is, it comes from the world of law courts. In the courtroom of God, we, the guilty party, stand before the Judge who is righteous and are declared as if we were not only innocent, but as though we were perfectly righteous.

(a). Justification is more than being forgiven of sin.
(b). Justification is the declaration by the Judge that the law has been perfectly kept.

  1. Justification is a problem for every sinner, the moral and immoral.
    "Therefore, by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight" (v.20).
    If you look to any of your obedience for assurance of your right standing in God's sight, you are in trouble -- big trouble. No flesh is justified by personal obedience.
  2. Justification is a promise of God's grace, not man's methods.
    Justification is something that happens "outside of yourself." God justifies the ungodly. The ungodly never justify themselves before God. It is impossible. Does He simply "wink and overlook sin?" No, then He would deny Himself, for He is a "just" God and "must" punish sin. So, He has done a marvelous work.
  3. Justification is a product of God's work, not man's work.
    "Through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (v.24). This redemption is the payment of a debt, and the release from bondage. God's law demands death to the sinner, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezekiel 18:4).
  4. Justification is a proclamation, not necessarily an invitation.
    I proclaim the good news. I tell you what God has done for sinners in Christ. Then we'll see whether or not the gospel is sweet to the taste. The justified find it sweet. The Father justifies, the Son redeems, and the Spirit sanctifies sinners -- hallelujah!


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Pastor Wade