King's Business - 1955-01

"Fo r the Sake of a Lonely B o y ” V I C T O R Y C E N T E R IN C H IC A G O a national ministry

SERVING THOSE IN MILITARY SERVICE Each year, thousands of young men in the armed forces visit the Victory Center. Their visit means much more than just a snack or warm meal in the free canteen, relaxed mo­ ments in the recreation center or library. It means a heart-warming, quickening, spiritual experience. All are reached with the gospel-> many find Christ as their Saviour. Chicago . . . transportation capital of the world. Victory Center reaches servicemen and women from every state, Canada, and many foreign countries . . . is open 365 days a year . . . charges nothing for its services and help. N O O N D A Y S E R V I C E S The famous Chicago Noonday services are heard- live over WMBI, Chicago, every day. They are recorded and re-broadcast over the following stations: M O N D A Y THRO U G H F R ID A Y KO KX, Keokuk, la. W H JC, Matewan, W.Va. WPEL, Montrose, Pa. KFGQ, Boone, la. K A IM , Honolulu, Hawaii F R ID A Y HCJB, Quito, Ecuador W M P C , Lapeer, Mich. W E N E E D Y O U R H E L P to continue this rewarding work. God has sup­ plied our needs through the prayers and gifts of Christians everywhere. Victory Center is strictly non-sectarian and maintained only by faithful Christians. For free literature, write Room K51. C H R I S T I A N B U S I N E S S M E N ' S C O M M I T E E Victory Center . . . A National Ministry 108 N. Dearborn Street • Chicago 2, III.

Doctrinal pointers by Gerald B. Stanton, Th.D. Prof, of Systematic Theology, Talbot Theological Seminary J u s t if ic a t io n

fect standing before God—is the ade­ quate basis for the act of justification which then follows. It is suggested that these are the major steps which make up our salvation, set forth in their logical order. The order is not a chronological one, however, as il­ lustrated in Romans 8:29, 30 where a number of simultaneous acts of God are set forth in a logical sequence. To summarize the doctrine of jus­ tification and the important Scrip­ tures which pertain to it, note that (1) Justification is not by keeping the law (Rom. 3:20, 28; Gal. 3:10-12). (2) It is not by accumulating good works (Rom. 4:1-8). The Roman church denies this truth, for it bases justification on merit, makes it pro­ gressive and says that it may be lost by mortal sin; it can be regained or increased through the sacrament of penance and must be completed in purgatory. This is all a direct denial of Scriptures such as Romans 3:24, which declares that (3) justification is granted freely by God’s grace. Compare Ephesians 2:8, 9 and Titus 3:5-7. (4) Justification is granted in response to human faith. This is stat­ ed at least 30 times in Romans 3:22- 5:2 and Galatians 2:16-3:26. (5) Jus­ tification rests on the death of Christ, for we are “ justified by his blood” (Romans 3:24; 5:8, 9,18). In this way God’s act in justifying the believer is in accord with His justice. Results of justification. With sins forgiven, with no legal charge press­ ing against him, possessing a position of favor before God, it is obvious that justification issues in peace (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:14, 17). Security also follows, for a misstep on the part of a Chris­ tian is not sufficient to abrogate the declaration of the Almighty. God righteously defends the security of the believer who is in Christ as def­ initely as once He was forced to con­ demn him. There also follows good works. “ It is faith alone which justi­ fies and yet the faith which justifies is not alone” (Calvin). See James 2: 14-26 and Titus 2:14; 3:8. Justification thus forms the logical foundation for the outworking of salvation, that is, for experimental sanctification. END.

llTo doctrine is more central to the Christian faith or stands closer to the heart of the gospel we preach than that of justification by faith. Whether it be during the life and ministry of Paul, or in the flaming days of the Protestant,, Reformation, or in these latter times of doctrinal departure, nothing is more cardinal to our understanding and Christian convictions than the truth of justifi­ cation. The verb to justify is found about 40 times in the New Testament; just (or righteous) occurs about 80 times, and righteousness, the equiva­ lent noun form, about 100 times. Surely a doctrine, written so large across the pages of both Scripture and history warrants our closest scrutiny and challenges our earnest thought. Justification defined. The term is a legal one and declares that a man “ having been brought under critical observation, is judged to be without offense in the eyes of the legal au­ thority before which he has been brought to stand.” ' Justification does not make the sinner righteous, but when the sinner is seen to be “in Christ,” God declares that he is right­ eous. Justification is the opposite of condemnation, as seen in Romans 8: 33, 34. It declares that the law’s de­ mands aré fully satisfied and that the believer is free from its guilt and blame. The basis of justification. Since in the act of justification, God declares the Christian to be forever right and acceptable to Himself, it follows that there must be a righteous ground which makes possible this privilege. As seen in this column in recent months, the sinner is redeemed by the death of Christ, which sacrifice pays in full the penalty of human sin. On this basis he is reconciled, that is, brought back into adjustment and fellowship with God. The Father then is propitiated, which means that He is fully satisfied with the death of His Son as the adequate solution to the sin problem. He can then be­ stow upon the believing sinner the very righteousness of Christ (Rom. 1:17, 3:22, 4:6, 5:17, 10:3; 2 Cor. 5:21). This righteousness—this per­

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