Practical Implications of Justification by Faith

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, 
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  
Through him we have also obtained access by faith 
into this grace in which we stand, 
and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."

Romans 5: 1-2

What are the practical implications of justification by faith?

The answers to this question should be front and center for every believer.  The apostle Paul dedicated entire letters to this theme.  The Protestant Reformation engaged in a religious dialogue to free people to understand this important concept.  Every revival of the Church is marked by a return to this idea.

Yet, 99% of today's believers have no idea how to answer this question.  I know, I was among this 99% even after finishing seminary.  I still often live like I don't know it.  I find I constantly struggle to justify myself instead of resting in the justifying righteousness merited and then given by Jesus to those who believe.

So, what are the practical implications of justification by faith?

The heart of our faith is a concept called passive righteousness.  It is a righteousness we receive by faith.  It was earned by Jesus and we have absolutely nothing to do with earning it.   

As Luther states, receiving passive righteous found in justification 

is like the ground soaking up the rain.  

The ground brings nothing and does nothing, 

but it receives the rain that falls upon it.  

In the same way, our soul is dry, thirsty ground 

that merely receives the rain of the Spirit that falls by grace.

So what does this mean?

Not only is Luther's illustration vivid, but it is also helpful.  Every time we try to make ourselves look better in the eyes of others by shading the truth or attempting to justify our actions, every time we get angry when we are disrespected, every time we make excuses to prove others are at fault for our failings, we are forgetting that God's grace is abundant to us.  We are attempting to establish our own rightness or righteousness.  

This struggle is really bondage.  It traps us.  It offers false hope.  It always disappoints.  It always demands more of us than we have.

Justification by faith, when properly understood and lived undercuts all of these traps.  It sets us free from the cycle of death that most of us live daily.

In other words, the practical implication of justification by faith is freedom.  

When properly understood and lived, freedom brings joy.

All of us struggle to find and live in our own righteousness.  We do anything we can to maintain our reputation.  We do what we can to prove that we are in the right.  

Justification by faith allows us to confess our failings and our shortcomings.  It allows us to be honest.  It propels us to trust in Jesus alone for our righteousness.

It is also so easy to forget.  Trusting in Christ's justification cuts across the grain of what comes so naturally to us.

In other words, all of us need to preach the gospel of unmerited grace found in Christ to ourselves daily.  This is a message for all.  It levels the ground between believer and unbeliever.  It also points to the common cure- the Lord Jesus Christ.  We need Him.  

Lord have mercy upon us and help us to believe.  We believe Lord, help our unbelief.