Justified by faith alone

October 28, 2020

Blog, Devotions

Nathan Nass, who is the pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Green Bay, shared his Reformation Day sermon on his Upside-Down Savior blog. We are reposting three paragraphs. You can read the entire sermon here.

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Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law (Romans 3:19-28 NIV).

This past August, a 13-year-old boy in Nigeria was sentenced to 10 years in prison for using foul language against Allah. 10 years! There’s been an outcry. In fact, 120 people around the world have offered to each sit in prison for one month to fulfill his sentence for him. That’s what Jesus did for us. Except, he didn’t sit in jail for a month. He gave his life. “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.” God is a just God who needs to punish sin. God is a gracious God who wants to save sinners. How? Punish sin and save sinners? How? At the cross of Jesus. The cross is where God’s justice and grace meet.

Jesus justified the world at the cross. Sometimes people say that “justified” means “just as if I’d” never sinned. Have you heard that? It’s memorable. But the truth is even better. Jesus didn’t just take away your sins. He doesn’t just give you a fresh start. He gives you his righteousness to wear all the time. God declares you “Not guilty!” once and for all. Not, “one day you might be forgiven.” Not, “try harder and we’ll see how it goes.” Not, “in heaven it will be better.” Now. Forgiven. Justified. Today! When Jesus died and rose, it was like the gavel slamming down. “Not guilty.” You. “Not guilty.” You. “Not guilty.” The handcuffs are off. No more guilt. Free!

By faith. By faith! Don’t think for a second that you have to earn it. Don’t think for a second that it depends on you. The Bible does everything it can to convince us that it’s all by faith. Just look at all the little phrases: Apart from law (3:21)… Freely (3:24)… Apart from the works of the law (3:28)… Given through faith (3:22)… To all who believe (3:22)… To be received by faith (3:25)… Who justifies those who have faith in Jesus (3:26)… By faith (3:28)… Could God possibly be any more clear? By faith in Jesus. “A person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.” By faith!

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Source: 316NOW is reposting these excerpts from Pastor Nass’ sermon by permission. Please read his entire sermon here.