Big Words!
Before we get to the background on Abraham we need to learn some
big $25 words. Three in particular:
JUSTIFICATION
SANCTIFICATION
SALVATION
Now big words are important to any profession. 'Big Words' ensures
you need the self-described professionals around to interpret the 'Big Words.'
So, let me make it real simple. The way God intended.
All three of these words revolve around one idea, "Who I am before
God?"
BIG WORDS: Who I Am Before God
Justification
The Bible teaches that God cannot be in the presence of sin. If I
am a sinner, and Pastor Jim is... then that does not bode well for me. So, God
sent His Son Jesus (God) to pay the penalty for my sins. If the penalty for my
sins is paid by the work of the cross, AND if I believe in Jesus for this work
of the cross... THEN I am justified in the EYES OF GOD. Let me use an example...
Back in the days of Merry Old England a young prince had to be
disciplined. However, "How do you spank the future King of England?"
Who would want that job! It might not be a good career decision for the 'Royal
Spanker' if you know what I mean? Especially if the young prince had a very
long memory. Therefore, legend tells us the Royal Caretakers implemented the idea of the
"whipping boy." When the young prince would get into trouble, a
surrogate young man would be punished in the prince's place. The idea of seeing someone else punished for his bad deeds, would teach the young prince
that 'someone had to pay the price.' And, because the 'whipping boy' was a playmate of the prince it would effect remorse in the the heart of the prince. In other words, a bad deed needed to be
accounted for in order to justify the young prince before the 'norms' of
society.
This is an over simplification, but it gives us some sense of what
it means to be justified. Justification is OUR ACT OF FAITH IN THE SACRIFICE OF
JESUS. Justification allows us to stand BLAMELESS before a HOLY GOD.
Justification, through the work of Christ... ALLOWS US TO ONE DAY... RETURN TO EDEN
(ie. Resurrection of ALL THINGS!).
In this week's Scripture, Romans 4:13-25, we find something VERY INTERESTING in verse 25...
"Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."
Notice it was Jesus' death that covered our sins, BUT IT WAS JESUS RETURN TO LIFE that promises our JUSTIFICATION! Therefore, since Jesus has ALREADY BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD, so too, believers are ALREADY JUSTIFIED.
In this week's Scripture, Romans 4:13-25, we find something VERY INTERESTING in verse 25...
"Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."
Notice it was Jesus' death that covered our sins, BUT IT WAS JESUS RETURN TO LIFE that promises our JUSTIFICATION! Therefore, since Jesus has ALREADY BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD, so too, believers are ALREADY JUSTIFIED.
Sanctification
Sanctification is the second BIG WORD. Sanctification is the process of gradually
being perfected while on earth by God. Everything we do or don't do... moves us down the road of sanctification. As we live this life, sanctification is the process of placing our faith in God and trusting God to encourage us to be perfect '...in the moment of testing.' This encouragement comes by the indwelling Holy Spirit in our hearts. However, few of us IF ANY, will always respond perfectly. This is why confession and repentance are a key part of sanctification. Picking ourselves up off the floor. Forgiving ourselves as Christ has already forgiven us and moving on towards perfection in the next trial is SANCTIFICATION. In other words, sanctification makes us CHRIST-LIKE through our FAILURES AND SUCCESSES. Sanctification takes place as we realize we need greater dependence on God.
People of a Wesleyan Methodist theology believe in what is called TOTAL SANCTIFICATION. I am a Wesleyan Methodist in my theology, a Congregationalist in my polity (how we do Church-democratic government), and a Christian by the grace of God. However, I am human. What John Wesley (Founder of Methodism), taught regarding sanctification was brilliant. John Wesley said we are not perfect in our human condition, but by the grace of God and our obedience, we have the possibility to 'act perfectly for a given testing.' Wesley's teachings have often been misunderstood. Some people think Wesley thought we could become perfect in this life. That was not his teaching. What Wesley taught was that we have the potential by the grace of God to act perfectly with a 'given testing.' In other words, we are without excuse.
In short, we should all welcome the sanctification process. It is accepting the oil and abrasiveness of 'LIFE' itself! Sanctification is placing a rough rock (you) inside a rock tumbler (life on earth). As we tumble through life, it is hoped the hard edges of the rock (you) will be smoothed (...becoming Christ-like).
Salvation
Some people are offended by the idea that they are anybody needs to be saved. They see God as 'ALL ACCEPTING' and therefore salvation is not necessary. This is a FALLACY, but this is what they believe. They misinterpret the salvation that is INDEED offered to all as salvation given to all. In making this mistake they want to define the terms salvation and not abide by the terms God has provided... faith in Christ!
Jesus had this very discussion with the Pharisees in Mark 2:15-17...
15 While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Notice, the SELF-RIGHTEOUS religious leaders did not see themselves as needing salvation. This idea would have been offensive to them! They were so caught up in defining 'righteousness' they could not see how they stood before a Holy God. One the other hand, look at the folks who were coming to Jesus (God). Folks who realized their humanity and realized they needed God's salvation. It is interesting to see how Jesus handles this encounter. It is hard to argue with someone who cannot see their own faults. IT is hard to argue with a hypocrite. So, Jesus says, 'Ok, the healthy do not need a doctor, only those who realize they are sick.' The burden falls back to the person, to realize their need before a Holy God. A need to admit who they really are before a loving God who already knows them better than they know themselves!
In other words, those who want to diagnose themselves... Jesus says from Luke 4:23b, "Physician, heal yourself!" I don't know about you, but I am a pretty bad judge of my weaknesses before a Holy God. IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE YOU NEED TO BE SAVED, THEN IT IS HARD FOR GOD TO SPEAK TO YOU!
GOOD NEWS: Therefore, SALVATION is ALL ABOUT BEING RESTORED NOW! Salvation is not just about the DISPOSITION of the SOUL LATER... but KNOWING WITH CERTAINTY THE DISPOSITION OF YOUR SOUL NOW!!!!!!
Suppose, I come to you with an opportunity! I tell you that if you buy a given stock you will reap huge rewards. REWARDS THAT WILL NOT ONLY BENEFIT YOUR FUTURE, BUT PROVIDE BENEFITS NOW! Now, suppose I can show you the future and prove what I tell you is true! All metaphors fall short and this one certainly does. Why? Because economic well-being can sometimes make folks misunderstand. SALVATION is not about dollars and cents, SALVATION is knowing we have peace with God. Salvation is KNOWING we have purpose! Salvation is knowing we have a God given journey and a God given destiny! In any event, the beauty of God's salvation is not just acquiring 'pie-in-the-sky' real estate for a future bliss, but in the comfort and peace of having a relationship with JESUS CHRIST NOW! This is true and complete SALVATION. A salvation that gives meaning in THIS LIFE AND THE NEXT!
Tune in tomorrow... I promise we will get to the fascinating story of Father Abraham!
Some people are offended by the idea that they are anybody needs to be saved. They see God as 'ALL ACCEPTING' and therefore salvation is not necessary. This is a FALLACY, but this is what they believe. They misinterpret the salvation that is INDEED offered to all as salvation given to all. In making this mistake they want to define the terms salvation and not abide by the terms God has provided... faith in Christ!
Jesus had this very discussion with the Pharisees in Mark 2:15-17...
15 While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Notice, the SELF-RIGHTEOUS religious leaders did not see themselves as needing salvation. This idea would have been offensive to them! They were so caught up in defining 'righteousness' they could not see how they stood before a Holy God. One the other hand, look at the folks who were coming to Jesus (God). Folks who realized their humanity and realized they needed God's salvation. It is interesting to see how Jesus handles this encounter. It is hard to argue with someone who cannot see their own faults. IT is hard to argue with a hypocrite. So, Jesus says, 'Ok, the healthy do not need a doctor, only those who realize they are sick.' The burden falls back to the person, to realize their need before a Holy God. A need to admit who they really are before a loving God who already knows them better than they know themselves!
In other words, those who want to diagnose themselves... Jesus says from Luke 4:23b, "Physician, heal yourself!" I don't know about you, but I am a pretty bad judge of my weaknesses before a Holy God. IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE YOU NEED TO BE SAVED, THEN IT IS HARD FOR GOD TO SPEAK TO YOU!
GOOD NEWS: Therefore, SALVATION is ALL ABOUT BEING RESTORED NOW! Salvation is not just about the DISPOSITION of the SOUL LATER... but KNOWING WITH CERTAINTY THE DISPOSITION OF YOUR SOUL NOW!!!!!!
Suppose, I come to you with an opportunity! I tell you that if you buy a given stock you will reap huge rewards. REWARDS THAT WILL NOT ONLY BENEFIT YOUR FUTURE, BUT PROVIDE BENEFITS NOW! Now, suppose I can show you the future and prove what I tell you is true! All metaphors fall short and this one certainly does. Why? Because economic well-being can sometimes make folks misunderstand. SALVATION is not about dollars and cents, SALVATION is knowing we have peace with God. Salvation is KNOWING we have purpose! Salvation is knowing we have a God given journey and a God given destiny! In any event, the beauty of God's salvation is not just acquiring 'pie-in-the-sky' real estate for a future bliss, but in the comfort and peace of having a relationship with JESUS CHRIST NOW! This is true and complete SALVATION. A salvation that gives meaning in THIS LIFE AND THE NEXT!
Tune in tomorrow... I promise we will get to the fascinating story of Father Abraham!
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