Things New and Old: How do sola fideists cope with these Scriptures?

Things New and Old

Ancient truths revealed in the Scriptures are often forgotten, disbelieved or distorted, and therefore lost in the passage of time. Such ancient truths when rediscovered and relearned are 'new' additions to the treasury of ancient truths.

Christ showed many new things to the disciples, things prophesied by the prophets of old but hijacked and perverted by the elders and their traditions, but which Christ reclaimed and returned to His people.

Many things taught by the Apostles of Christ have been perverted or substituted over the centuries. Such fundamental doctrines like salvation by grace and justification have been hijacked and perverted and repudiated by sincere Christians. These doctrines need to be reclaimed and restored to God's people.

There are things both new and old here. "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things" 2Ti 2:7.

Friday, November 2, 2012

How do sola fideists cope with these Scriptures?

Sola fideists' doctrine of justification is like a dull marble!

The biblical doctrine of justification is like a multifaceted diamond!!!

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How do the sola fideists, those who believe "justification before God by faith alone", i.e. by their act of believing, cope with these plain declarations of Scriptures? Are they saying one and the same justification?

1. By Christ: the basis of justification

- Ro 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
- Ro 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith [of Christ] without the deeds of the law.
- Ga 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
- Ga 2:17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

Justified by Christ's blood, justified by the faith of Jesus Christ, and justified by Christ... which aspect of justification is spoken of here in these passages?

Justification before God requires righteousness, and this righteousness is either by your own obedience of the law (i.e. deeds or works of the law) or by Christ's obedience to the law (i.e. His faith, or faithfulness in discharging the work of redemption). There is no justification by the works/deeds of the law! Christ alone kept the law. In Christ's work of redemption, God provided the righteousness needed for the justification of those under the just condemnation and death.

2. By the grace of God: the manner justification is applied personally

- Ro 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
- Tit 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Justified by God's grace... yes, His free grace, to repudiate the notion that there is such a thing as a grace that is conditioned on man's faith, or obtained through the means of faith in Christ!

3. By Faith IN Christ: the instrument to experience the blessedness of the justified state

- Ro 4: 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
- Ro 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
- Ga 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Faith in Jesus Christ is the means appointed and ordained by God for the justified (freely by God's grace based on the righteousness of Christ) to experience the blessedness of their justification. It is not through observing the old covenant ceremonial laws. Apostle Paul marshaled Abraham and his experience in Gen 15 to prove and demonstrate that precise point!

It is the just (justified ones by God's free grace) shall live by faith!!!
It is NOT NOT NOT the condemned who believe shall be justified!

- Hab 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
- Ro 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
- Ga 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
- Heb 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

4. By faith and works: the evidences of justification by works as well as by faith.

- Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
- Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Both faith and works justify evidentially, i.e. evidences to OTHERS a justified state by the free grace of God. Works of righteousness do not justify legally, works of righteousness justify evidentially.

Law condemns, and no works of the law can justify a man.

Take a look at this article: Three distinct sets of contrast in the doctrine of justification!
http://things-new-and-old.blogspot.com/2011/05/three-distinct-sets-of-contrast-in.html
and here
http://things-new-and-old.blogspot.com/2012/10/sola-fide-is-great-and-injurious-lie-of.html

Is it still justification before God by faith alone?

What do you have in your hand?

A cheapskate marble?

Or a multifaceted diamond?