Hope and HolinessSample

Do You Not Know?— Justification: The Fundamental Blessing of the Gospel

Key Question: How does knowing you are justified enable and empower sexual purity?

Justification is the chief article of Christian doctrine and life. Martin Luther said,

“This doctrine is the head and the cornerstone. It alone begets, nourishes, builds, preserves and defends the church of God; and without it the church of God cannot exist for one hour.”

What, then, is justification? Justification is God the judge’s declaration that the unrighteous is righteous even while being inherently unrighteous. God justifies the ungodly (Rom. 4:5). God’s verdict is true and just because it is rendered based on Christ’s perfect righteousness alone, which is imputed to sinners by grace through faith alone. Consequently, all whom God justifies are counted by God just as if they have never sinned and have always obeyed. Why does Paul remind the Corinthians of their justification? Sexual sin results in paralyzing guilt, regret, and self-condemnation. But since the Corinthians have been justified, they must not condemn themselves. The doctrine of justification frees the believer from self-condemnation, paralyzing guilt, and regret because it provides a perfect foundation of righteousness. . .

Do you know that you have been justified, which is the sole basis of your ongoing assurance before God for the times that you have failed (or will fail; cf. Gal. 5:17; Rom. 7:14–25)? You must be continually reminded that you are righteous before God—even though your conscience accuses you of grievously sinning against God’s commandments and are still drawn to all evil, like a fly to manure. These charges are true, but God, out of pure grace, imputes to you the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ. He grants these benefits as if you had never committed any sin and as if you had accomplished all the obedience that Christ has rendered for you.

Prayer: Almighty and everlasting God, grant us, by your Holy Spirit, a firm assurance of our right standing with you so that we might walk in the ways of your commandments with joy through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.