Teaching Points
- 1
Justification is NOT by works and NOT merely a pardon. It is a declaration of righteousness based on Christ's payment.
- 2
Justification means an exchange: God removes our guilt and gives it to Christ, and takes Christ's perfect righteousness and gives it to us — the Great Exchange.
- 3
Justification is 'passive righteousness' (Martin Luther) — we have nothing to do with producing it; Jesus earned it and we receive it by faith alone.
- 4
The Gospel and religion are opposites: Gospel = grace, faith, unconditional love; Religion = works, obedience, judgmentalism.
Scriptures
Discussion Questions
- 1
Can you simply yet clearly define justification by faith?
- 2
What does it mean when we describe justification by faith as 'passive righteousness'?
- 3
In our daily walk, why is it so hard for we who began in grace to continue in grace?
- 4
How does justification by faith affect the way you relate to God?