Catechism – Week 18 – Justification

What is Justification?

We often ask questions like, “When did you get saved?” and make salvation much smaller than it actually is. In the Bible, Christians “have been saved,” are “being saved,” and “will be saved.” This week we will explore the concept of justification which is similar to the idea of having been saved. Scripture uses many different metaphors to describe the event, but for the sake of simplicity we will not explore them all right now. You are encouraged to click the link at the end for a brief overview of them.

Romans 3:23-24a – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified by his grace as a gift. (ESV)

What causes our need for justification?
We have sinned.

How are we justified? Can we earn it through good works?
No, we cannot earn it. We are justified by God’s grace.

Romans 3:24b-25a – He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as a sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. (NLT)

How is God able to give us this gift?
Jesus took our penalty by sacrificing himself on the cross. He died the death we deserve.

How do we receive this gift?
We receive it by believing that it is given through what Jesus has done on the cross.

Scripture Memory Verse:

Romans 5:1 – Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV)

What is justification?
Justification is being saved from the penalty of our sins by God’s grace through Jesus’ death.

Adults and older students are encouraged to receive a fuller explanation from Dr. Tim Tennent (President of Asbury Theological Seminary) by clicking this link.