justification

5 August 2012

Two Sides of La SalvaciÃ³n

Jim Devotional and Bible, Ministry glimpses 1

Today I’m preaching in Jesús María, from Philippians 3:1-11. It seems like there are two mountain tops in the letter – or two jewels. And those are in Philippians 2 (the eloquent story of Jesus coming to earth as a servant – likely quoted from an ancient hymn), and then in chapter 3, where Paul explains how the great achievements of his former life are nothing (worse than nothing – garbage, trash) compared to knowing Christ and having the righteousness of God.

I wanted to illustrate how we often focus on one side of salvation – what we "need to do" to "come to Christ". To put it more biblically, faith and repentance.

Of course these things are important, but God does show us a little bit "behind the scenes" into what salvation really is.

And the topic of the Gospel and what it really is – we’ll never plumb the depths – we’ll never truly exhaust the riches of what God has done – is doing – and will do.

So I have a two sided poster – and a two sided card to hand out – to at least remind us of a few of the realities of salvation.

Actually, I was just talking to my Dad who said he’s preaching on a similar topic. He’s doing it over a couple of Sundays, and I think he mentioned that he’s talking about 50 things.

I don’t have time for 50 – but here are the two sides of the card. It’s in Spanish, of course, and some of the text will be kinda small, but you might be able figure some of it out. 🙂

If you’re curious, I could translate for you.

22 March 2012

Memory Verse Day 11: I’ve Got It – But It’s Not Mine!

Jim Devotional and Bible 0

"pero al que no trabaja, pero cree en Aquél que justifica al impío, su fe se le cuenta por justicia."
(Romanos 4:5 NBLH)

"And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness"
(Romans 4:5 ESV)

This is the second verse in our two verse set. (Of course, it’s still in the middle of a sentence in English. But knowing Paul, in Greek it probably goes on longer than in either translation!)

Yesterday Paul pointed out that your salary is not a gift – it’s something that is indebted to you. But what if you don’t work?

Of course this doesn’t mean that we don’t do anything. It means that we’re not working for what we receive – and that is, justification.

Because, after all – and this is such a beautiful phrase – God justifies the ungodly. Not the fairly righteous, not the deserving, not the spiritually sensitive – – the ungodly!

Are you starting to see why I said yesterday that these verses should be highlighted in your Bible, and that you should study them and think about them?

God justifies the ungodly! He declares the guilty innocent!

How can He be just to do something like that? Well, that’s not really the point of these verses – that’s made clear elsewhere. But surely everyone in the world has hope in this verse – God justifies the ungodly.

How?

Well, He uses faith. Now when it says his faith is counted as righteousness, Paul isn’t suggesting that faith is a good work that is traded in for righteousness. After all, Paul has made it clear that this is a person who does not work (how much clearer can it be?). Nor is the faith the actual righteousness.

No, God gives righteousness to the ungodly through faith. Righteousness that we don’t have and that doesn’t come from us is given to us.

That’s the righteousness of Jesus. Given to us – credited to our account – imputed to us – as ungodly people.

But God uses faith as a means – calling everyone everywhere to repent and believe. And receive perfect, incorruptible righteousness.

And it’s all available – to him who does not work but believes. Hope.

If you’re following along, here’s the next set of verses – 10 more, giving us 21 in all (so far).

21 March 2012

Memory Verse Day 10: The Bible’s Least Known Most Important Passage

Jim Devotional and Bible 7

"Ahora bien, al que trabaja, el salario no se le cuenta como favor, sino como deuda;"
(Romanos 4:4 NBLH)

"Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due."
(Romans 4:4 ESV)

Today is the start of a two verse set – Romans 4:4-5.

This has got to be the least-known most-important passage in the Bible. I’ve used it in an explanation of the Gospel, and I’ve used it to explain the difference between Christianity and other religions. And there are probably many more times when I should have used it that I didn’t.

Study these verses, highlight these verses, struggle to understand these verses – it’s worth it!

Paul has just finished talking about Abraham, and how he was not justified by works. In other words, with God as his judge, Abraham was not declared righteous because of anything that he did.

In case there’s any doubt whatsoever, Paul clarifies what he’s saying with this illustration. Let’s say someone is employed somewhere, and he gets a pay-cheque. Is his pay a gift? Does he say thank you and act surprised and say you shouldn’t have?

Of course not – it’s obvious. This person is owed the money. If the money is not paid to him, there’s a problem.

One of the most beautiful words in the whole Bible is in this and the next verse. In the Greek it’s the logizomai. In the English it’s credited, reckoned, counted or imputed.

Imputed has become the theological word. It’s a very useful word. You can talk about imputed, imputation, impute…

…and with this one word Paul sets salvation apart from every religious system in the world.

And tomorrow we’ll see this, in one of the most stunning verses in all of the Bible.

If you’re following along, here’s the next set of verses (pdf format) – 10 more, giving us 21 in all.