One of the ‘misunderstandings? The common doctrine of justification only by faith is that it is fiction with no practical consequences for life. This was a controversial argument used by Roman Catholic apologists against the Protestant vision of the “Sola fide”. Biblical truth that we are justified only by grace. , only by faith and only in Christ. In addition, antinomians of all kinds affirm that, because believers are under grace and no longer under the law, they can live in a morally “relaxed” way.
Where these caricatures of Christian life come from, Paul is not the source, in fact, he totally opposes them. In the letter to the Romans, the Apostle describes the depth of the gospel of justification only by faith, in which the new life in Christ takes root and develops. Justification is the basis of sanctification. The first is the foundation of the second and the second is the spiritual result of the first. As Charles Hodge wrote in his 1886 commentary on the Romans: “It is impossible for anyone to share the benefits of his death [that is, Jesus Christ] without agreeing with his life. “
- This is where holiness comes in.
- Holiness is the inevitable mark of the disciple of Jesus Christ.
- An ungodly Christian life is simply an oxymoron.
- A contradiction in terms.
- A denial of the reality of justification by faith alone.
- In Romans 6:12-16.
- Does Paul reveal the meaning of a holy life in terms of radical transition?To be under the law.
- That is.
- Here that the individual died for sin and in the service of injustice.
- Being under grace.
- That is.
- Here that the individual has come to life for God and serves the cause of justice.
Holiness is spiritual and practical proof that the transition has occurred and is working properly in real terms. Again, Hodge should quote him: “Grace, rather than leading to indulgence of sin, is essential to the exercise of holiness. ” grace, holiness is the sign of justification. Without visible holiness in the Christian life, sadly all the caricatures of fictitious justification and antinomianism become possible. An ungodly life is an excuse for scoffers of the Christian faith to strengthen themselves in their evil prejudices against him A holy life is a sign of the truth of God’s Word and the power of his grace to bring life to where it once reigned death and sin. What a great responsibility for us disciples of Jesus to be holy, because God is holy (1 Peter 1:16).