Justification by Faith Alone (John Piper)

"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."

Ephesians 2

Category:

Education

Tags:

• john
• piper
• justification
• by
• faith
• alone

[shadyrill]

The scripture teaches that we are "all under sin", which means, whether we realize it or not, that we are "all under law" also. Sin only exists and operates in the context of God's law. There is no sin without law. Sin is a violation of the law. There can be no sin without law.

[shadyrill]

"Through the law is the knowledge of sin" Rom 3:20. "Where there is no law, neither is there violation" Rom 4:15. "Sin is not accounted when there is no law" Rom 5:13. "I would not have known what sin was except through the law" Rom 7:7. "Apart from the law, sin is dead" Rom 7:8. If we are "all under sin" then we are "all under law".

We all must explore the claim of God's law on "all men" in the NT, Jew or Gentile. Whether written on tables of stone or written on the tables of men's hearts.

[shadyrill]

The progression from being under Law to being under Grace is the key to understanding the two different representations of justification, whether by "faith without works" or by "works of faith".

All men are born under law, Jew or Gentile. Check out Rom 2:12-16; 3:19-20; 5:12-14; 7:7-8. Gal 3:13; 3:22-24; 4:3-5.

We are justified in relation to Law by Christ's work in our behalf(faith w/o works) as a prerequisite to entering an economy of grace where we are justified by works of faith.

[GodzRod]

Further, we love Him and others because He loves us first; so even our faith in God and our love of God and others is a response to the demonstrated limitless love of God toward us, which is clearly shown by all His good deeds and particularly the works of Christ Jesus. Our good deeds demonstrate that we have already received the marvelous gift of God by faith. This is good news.

[GodzRod]

Good deeds are not required; they are evidence that one has received God's gift of of justification and imputed righteousness through faith in Christ Jesus. Good deeds are what one does in response; they are evidence that one has received God's unmerited favor because that one placed their faith in the love of God and what He has fully completed on their behalf in the life, the condemnation and crucifixion, the death, the resurrection, and the ascension to the right hand of God of our wonderful

[sungmoon1987]

Put Romans 5:1 beside Romans 8:1 and then put that beside James 2:24. No where in the bible does it say faith 'ALONE'. Faith is required, but it is not the ONLY requirement. Good deeds is also necessary (James 2).

[TheOldBeef]

@danieltwelve3 I don't need to answer to man's institutions either. But the Bible says you are justified not by faith alone rather than that you are justified by faith alone (James 2:24). Nothing I said had anything to do with man's law.

[TheOldBeef]

@pegcage uh, the Bible says you are justified not by faith alone (James 2:24), and your comment is nonsensical and has nothing to do with what I said.

[danieltwelve3]

@TheOldBeef No man can put a believer in Christ under law. We are under Christ's law alone, which is the law of Love. Love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and your neighbor as yourself. I do not need to answer to man's institutions to obey Christ. To reach that state we are justified by faith alone and set free in Christ.

[pegcage]

@TheOldBeef When a person exercises faith in Christ he is born again. When he is born again he receives the Holy Spirit to lead and guide him. That means faith alone in Christ alone. Nevertheless one in Christ is led by Christ. Asked what Luther would replace works with he said, CHRIST.