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Back to Basics: What is Justification?

Posted on March 12, 2021March 12, 2021 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Part of a continuing Back to Basics series

There are three parts to being united with Christ. They are justification, sanctification, and glorification.

Let’s talk about Justification.

Justification is not a process, it is an event. It’s a one-time, momentary declaration, momentary meaning it takes a moment for it to happen but it has an eternal effect.

Justification is the doctrine that God pardons, accepts, and declares a sinner to be “just” on the basis of Christ’s righteousness (Rom 3:24-26; 4:25; 5:15-21) which results in God’s peace (Rom 5:1), His Spirit (Rom 8:4), and salvation. Justification is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ apart from all works and merit of the sinner (cf. Rom 1:18-3:28).
Justification is a legal act, wherein God deems the sinner righteous on the basis of Christ’s righteousness. Unlike Sanctification, Justification is not a process, but is a one-time act, complete and definitive.
God’s act of justification may be seen to involve a double imputation. On the one hand, the sin and guilt of the believer are imputed to Christ. On the other hand, the righteousness of Christ is imputed to the believer, whereby he is declared righteous.
Theopedia (source)

Then we have is regeneration, forgiveness, grace, adoption, (not necessarily in that order or maybe all at once, let’s not argue!), sanctification (the process of the Spirit polishing off our sin nature and increasing our likeness of Christ), and then glorification (made perfect after death at the resurrection, no sin nature in our flesh at all).

Our sins prevent us from going to heaven. Since Adam, we all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:21). Before the moment of justification, we are ‘in Adam.’

When we are declared justified, we are ‘in Christ’, Who is perfect in His righteousness. That means when God looks at us, He sees Christ and His righteousness.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21).

You might notice the word “just” in justification. It is the legal theme of justice, justify, to render a verdict. God is the Judge. The penalty for all sinners is hell. However, those He declares as righteous, (through Christ, not our own righteousness!) He allows into heaven. (Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:22).

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

I like courtroom dramas. I love the intricacies of the law, the back and forth of the defense and plaintiff arguments, how a judge makes a verdict, or a jury if it is a jury trial. The legal process is long and drawn out, and even TV programs or movies show this. And then comes the climactic moment! All rise! The jury stands, the accused stands, all stand…to hear the verdict. All the work of the previous year or years rides on this one short moment.

When the jury delivers its verdict and then the judge says “You have been declared not guilty. You are free to go” almost uniformly, the actor looks around in shock and confusion. That’s it? Just like that? I can walk out of here with these clothes on my back, into the sunshine, and have a life?

Yes. Just like that.

“We the jury find the defendant not guilty.”
“The defendant is discharged. Good luck Mr Lewis. Thank you ladies and gentlemen.”

And then they can go. Amazing.

That is a ‘not guilty’ verdict in a movie, with a lengthy celebration the judge never would allow. But instead, let’s imagine when one sinner is declared righteous by faith alone, through grace alone. (Ephesians 2:8-9). Once we are justified and repent, we understand our sin and what it does to God. If we really knew the import of it at the moment of justification, we ourselves would be celebrating like this defendant. The angels do. Just imagine the celebration in heaven when one more sinner is justified and repents!

Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents. (Luke 15:10)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How far did they come? How far would you go?

Posted on March 11, 2021 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Our pastor preached the section in Acts recently about the Ethiopian Eunuch. I love that scene with Philip. Philip is mentioned a few times in the Bible but we lose track of him soon after this section in Acts. We don’t really know for sure whatever happened to the man. Tradition says he became a bishop of a church in Tralles, and died there, but we are not sure.

The Eunuch is also interesting. He was from Ethiopia, the scriptures are careful to mention. (And won’t it be glorious when we get ‘there’ and learn his actual name!)

So he got ready and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship, (Acts 8:27).

Ethiopia covered a larger territory than the nation of Ethiopia we know now. In any case, it was a long way for a man to come. The Eunuch was reading the scriptures in his chariot when Philip approached him at the direction of the Spirit. It was a long way to come, especially since the man knew the scriptures and presumably knew he would not be allowed into the temple. Eunuchs were banned from the assembly.

No one who is emasculated or has his male organ cut off may enter the assembly of the Lord. (Deuteronomy 23:1)

The distance was roughly 2000 miles from the ancient land of Ethiopia to where we find the Eunuch south of Jerusalem. He was not allowed in the temple but he had been in God’s city anyway, to worship, the verse says. (Acts 8:27-28).

When the Eunuch heard the Good News of Jesus that Philip delivered to him and was then baptized, the Eunuch went on his way rejoicing. Would you travel that far? In an open jalopy? Taking weeks to arrive? Banned from entering your ultimate objective? And then leave rejoicing?

Then we have the Magi. They were from “the East”.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, (Matthew 2:1)

These Wise Men were likely from Persia, from the court there in Susa. It’s about 800 miles from the court to the temple, as the crow flies. The road meanders so it’s likely the distance would have been closer to 900 or 1000 miles. If the caravan traveled 20 miles a day, the usual achievable distance in daylight, it would have taken them 50 or so days to reach the Christ child. It was a long, hot, and dangerous journey. They were not even sure where He was, they had to ask Herod. When they found Him they fell down and worshiped. Would you travel that far, not sure where He even was, and then when you find Him, to fall down and worship a child?

Then we have the Queen of Sheba. It’s thought that her country was Saba, modern day Yemen. Her journey was the longest of all. She traveled over 3000 miles, because she had heard of the wisdom of Solomon and the name of Yahweh.

Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions. (1 Kings 10:1).

The Queen tested Solomon with many questions and riddles, and verified that his wisdom was indeed prodigious. She showered Solomon with many gifts, impressed with this Yahweh who gave such wisdom to men. The scriptures say she was actually breathless, and she blessed the Lord. (1 Kings 10:9).

The Eunuch was concerned with knowing the scriptures of the LORD, the Magi were concerned with worshiping the Christ, and the Queen of Sheba was concerned with the name of the LORD. They traveled many thousands of miles to inquire into these things, all the more impressive because they were not believers. (Though the Eunuch was likely a proselyte).

How far would you go to receive the word of God, to be in a solid assembly, to learn more about this Christ and His resurrection? We have air conditioned vehicles, airplanes, comfort stations, fast food…how far would you go to make sure you were in a good church? (How far would I go?).

theology

Back to Basics series

Posted on March 10, 2021 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

I wrote several essays examining some of the basics of the faith. There are always new people coming to faith, and I’d wanted some of my articles to look at the issues and concepts of an early walk, as well as reminding my own self of these important topics! We’re never too old in the faith to review the wondrous doctrines that brought us to the sheepfold and the Shepherd!

What is hell?

The Importance of Prophecy

How do I know I’m saved?

What does it mean to be born again?

What is prayer?

How to study your Bible

What is a miracle?

All about Angels

What is The Lamb?

Who is Satan?

What Discernment is

What is The Rapture?

Hello Holy Spirit!

theology

Beth Moore announces she’s leaving the Southern Baptist Convention

Posted on March 9, 2021March 13, 2021 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Celebrity ‘Bible teacher’ Beth Moore has identified herself with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) since her earliest church-going days. She has had the support of Lifeway Books, an arm of the Convention, which has paid for half of her private jet travel to venues, including Australia, published her books, and organized her Living Proof events. She has been partnered at events with the SBC’s Ethics and Religious Commission president Russell Moore. She has been a member of SBC churches in the past (but not lately).

But all that is over, as today Beth Moore announced her split from the SBC and her departure from the Convention. This announcement is in-name-only, since she hasn’t adhered to the SBC’s Baptist Faith & Message for thirty years, and hasn’t been a member of any SBC church for a while. Her announcement today only confirms what we have known all along, she is leaving the SBC because she no longer identifies with its core beliefs. More on that in a moment.

Continue reading →

theology

What’s in a name?

Posted on March 9, 2021 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

I love names. The Bible is filled with weird sounding names, genealogies, and unnamed people. I will be anxious to learn the Ethiopian Eunuch’s name, the Woman at the Well, the Woman with 12 years of blood, the Gadarene Demoniac, and the Thief on the Cross.

In addition, we will be given a new name after the final judgment of all things:

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it. (Revelation 2:17).

Jesus gave Simon a new name, Cephas which means Peter. So too Levi, he became known as the Apostle Matthew. God renamed Abram to Abraham, his wife Sarai was given the name Sarah. Jacob was renamed by God as Israel. Many more were renamed, went by another name, or had a nickname (like James, Jesus’ disciple, nicknamed Boanerges, Son of Thunder.) The angel Gabriel told Zacharias to name his son John (the Baptist). (Luke 1:13).

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theology

Michal: She despised her husband in her heart

Posted on March 8, 2021March 8, 2021 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Michal was wife of king David. Her name “describes an admiring acknowledgment of the transcendent unapproachable majesty of the divine nature” according to “All the Women of the Bible” (which is a very handy reference at Bible Gateway, for free).

Sadly, she did not live up to her name. Let’s see what happened.

Michal was daughter of King Saul, and she fell in love with David. Hard. David was handsome, accomplished, and beloved by many. Michal was entranced. David was going to be king, so that meant she would be queen. She even defied her father, King Saul, when she learned that King Saul plotted to kill David. She was married to him by now, and she informed David of the plot, and made a dummy to put in the bed so David could escape, and lied, saying David had threatened to kill her if she didn’t let him go.

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Kay Cude, prophecy, rapture, tribulation

Kay Cude Poetry: Longing for Him, Comfort to those left behind

Posted on March 7, 2021 by elizabethprata

Poetry by Kay Cude

Kay Cude is a Texas poet. Used with permission

theology

Sassy? Don’t be!

Posted on March 6, 2021 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Twitter is interesting and it is also depressing. I swing between the two. I haven’t posted much, but I read a lot and I watch the flare-ups come and go.

An outburst happened a few days ago that got me thinking. I’m a Yankee transplant, a New Englander who moved to the deep South 15 years ago. There IS a cultural difference between the two regions. Sometimes it isn’t that noticeable and sometimes it is massively evident. The vocabulary is different, for example. I push a shopping cart at the grocery store, Georgians push a buggy. I press the remote button, they mash it. Pajama parties are spend-the-night parties. Sneakers are tennis shoes. Wastebasket is a trash can. And don’t EVER say a barbecue is pushing around a patty of hamburger over open coals, no ma’am. BBQ is an entirely different process, yielding entirely different food.

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bible jesus, hell, punishment

Back to Basics: What is hell?

Posted on March 5, 2021March 5, 2021 by elizabethprata

This “Back to Basics” series explores some of the more basic doctrines of the Bible Believing faith of Christianity. After the rapture there will be millions of new believers who must come to grips, and quickly, with the basic tenets of our faith. This series is a primer. Other entries in the series are

Hello, Holy Spirit!
What does it mean to be born again?
What’s the Gospel?
What is prayer?

Hell is real. The current American culture doesn’t want to believe that hell is real. Liberal Christians all around the world don’t believe it is real either. Rob Bell wrote a book called “Love Wins” in which he says “A staggering number of people have been taught that a select few Christians will spend forever in a peaceful, joyous place called heaven, while the rest of humanity spends forever in torment and punishment in hell with no chance for anything better…. This is misguided and toxic and ultimately subverts the contagious spread of Jesus’ message of love, peace, forgiveness, and joy that our world desperately needs to hear.” It should be noted that Mr Bell has become apostate by now.

Of course, Mr Bell is completely wrong, at least about the doctrine of hell being a misguided teaching. Jesus taught it. Was Jesus misguided? Certainly not.

Continue reading →

theology

God takes away discernment

Posted on March 4, 2021March 5, 2021 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

One of the biggest problems the church has, maybe THE biggest, is a widespread lack of discernment. It’s true that many have infiltrated the church who are not true converts, so it stands to reason they lack discernment. But many true believers have failed to hone their discernment through training (Hebrews 5:14). There’s another reason that the church may lack discernment besides infiltration of false believers, and the presence of true believers who haven’t grown much: the Lord.

He deprives the trusted ones of speech, And takes away the discernment of the elders. (Job 12:20).

John Gill (1697 – 1771) was an English Baptist pastor, biblical scholar, and theologian who also wrote a commentary of the Bible. He says of the Job 12:20 verse in Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible -first Gill addresses the different ways that God takes away speech of the wise, “it seems strange that he should remove the speech of “trusty” or “faithful” men, that speak the truth, and are to be credited and believed; and as the preceding words are understood of ecclesiastic persons.”

“He removeth away the speech of the trusty,…. Speech is proper to mankind, and a benefit unto them, whereby they can converse together, and communicate their minds to each other. This is the gift of God, he gives to men in common the faculty of speaking;
–to some the tongue of the learned to speak various tongues, either in an ordinary or in an extraordinary manner; and he that gives can take away;
–he that made man’s mouth or lip can make it speechless, as he does at death; when he takes away man’s breath, he takes away his speech; the state of the dead is a state of silence;
–and sometimes he does it while living, by striking dumb, as he did Zechariah the father of John the Baptist;
–as in the builders of Babel, he took away the speech they had, and gave them another;
–and sometimes he suffers not men to speak what they would, but what is contrary to their inclinations and desires, as in Balaam, who would willingly have cursed Israel, but could not. –end Gill Commentary

As for the lack of discernment, the LORD takes it away in various ways, too. Gill continues in the second part of the Job 12:20 verse-

and taketh away the understanding of the aged; or “elders”; elders in age, with whom understanding, reason, judgment, counsel, and wisdom, by all which the word is interpreted, may be thought to be; yet all this God can take away, and does when he pleases, and they become like children in understanding.

–through the infirmities of old age their memories fail them,
–their reason is impaired,
–their understanding and judgment are weakened,
–they become unfit to give advice themselves,
–are easily imposed on and drawn aside by others as may be observed in Solomon, the wisest of men, when he was grown old. –end Gill

The Bible Knowledge Commentary by RB Zuck et al says, “Also all people are under God’s control. He humbles counselors (was Job referring to his three friends?), judges.… kings.… priests, well-established officials, advisers … elders.… nobles, and the mighty. By stripping away their wisdom and power, God reveals His superior wisdom and power.”

The Lord God is on control of all things; the earth, universe, angels, demons, and humans. He is in charge of all humans’ intellect. He gives discernment and He takes it away. We don’t know if the dearth of discernment plaguing the church currently is due to a failure of humans to be biblically illiterate and train themselves, of God’s judgment on humans, a mixture of both, or something else entirely. One thing we know for sure, it was Paul’s fervent prayer that the people would grow in discernment. I think the old adage “Use it or lose it” applies now!

This is a super helpful, practical lesson on how to begin honing your discernment, by Sharon Lareau. “Learn Discernment and Stay Safe from False Teachings“