Justification by faith: Faith in Jesus and Fruits of justification

CONTENT

• FAITH IN JESUS AS CONDITION FOR JUSTIFICATION: Roman 1:16-17, Roman 4: 1-5.
• FRUITS OF JUSTIFICATION: GAL 2: 19-21, GAL. 5: 22, ROM. 5: 1

FAITH IN JESUS AS CONDITION FOR JUSTIFICATION

Justification is the expectation that men would be acceptable to God, each not in his own merit but in the provision made available to man in Christ Jesus. God provided a way through which man will be acceptable to Him. By this we see that justification is not based on merit before God but by faith in Jesus Christ, which is offered without distinction  to everybody who puts his trust in Jesus. Hence  by sheer generosity of God the unacceptable is now acceptable and therefore justified, that is pronounced not guilty.

EVALUATION

1. What is justification?
2. Explain how God demonstrated His generosity to man

THE FRUITS OF JUSTIFICATION ROM 5:1-11

According to Paul, the fruit of justification is to be at peace with God, and once a person is at peace with God, he is free from eternal condemnation .  He also has access to His glory and grace.  He can now rejoice even in his sufferings knowing that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character and character produces hope.
Justification cannot be attained by man’s effort.

EVALUATION

1. Explain the fruits of justification
2. Can we receive justification as far as righteousness of the law is concerned? State your reasons.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH

Justification by faith as presented by St. Paul is for Christians to know that they are no longer under the law but under grace.  They would only be justified by having strong faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the redemption He offers mankind through his blood.

GENERAL EVALUATION

1. From Paul’s letter to the Romans, explain the term justification?
2. State the conditions for its attainment.
3. How far are today’s Christians meeting such conditions?
4. Examine the fruits of justification.

READING ASSIGNMENT

Read Essential Christian Religious Knowledge for SS1-3 By Edmond Ugochukwupg 184 – 186.

Comprehensive Christian Religious Knowledge for SS1-3 by

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1.   The main condition for justification according to Paul is (a) human merit (b) ability to keep the law            (c) faith in Christ redemptive work  (d) unmerited favour.

2.   According to Paul, all men have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but we have been justified by (a) Jesus becoming a man (b) strict obedience to the law (c) man’s own self effort (d) God’s gifts of grace.

3.   According to Paul, in Romans, the law and the prophets bore witness to the righteousness of God but man could not be justified until he (a) learn to be like the Jews (b) had faith in Jesus (c)saw the glory of God (d) made serious personal efforts.

4.   All the following are possible conditions for justification by faith except. (a) strict observance of the law (b) having faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus   (c) accepting Jesus as personal Lord and saviour    (d) having faith in the redemption of his blood.

5.   The fruits of justification include the following except

      (a) peace                      (b) endurance              (c) character                (d) luxuriant life.

THEORY

1. What according to Paul are the fruits of justification?
2. What are the conditions for ‘justification”?