ought to be an interesting class this sabbath..

Touche...

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conditions, conditions, conditions

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What "conditions"? I didn't find any!

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Christ's righteousness is accepted in place of man's failure, and God receives, pardons, justifies, the repentant, believing soul, treats him as though he were righteous,

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That is not a "condition" -- that is a fact. Unless a person realised his NEED of a Saviour, then he cannot accept the gift of Christ's righteousness. Any gift must be accepted or it is not a gift! It is useless. God does not force His righteousness upon anyone. Instead, the Holy Spirit woos a person, and continues to do so until He is totally rejected, or until the sinner (you and I) realises his or her need, and accepts the proffered gift. God Himself leads a man or woman to the realisation of the need for repentance, and in that realisation the person accepts the gift -- it is a fact, not a condition!

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no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Rom. 8:1)?


How would you explain this to a non-Christian?

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Very easily!!! Yes, it might take a long time, because, to begin with, the person would need to be given some basic information about Christ, Who He is, what He did, and what He offers. Then I would not take one text in isolation, but would put this text into its context.

Its context begins in Chapter 7, especially Paul's struggle with the sinful nature. Then he realised that he was a prisoner to this law of sin -- and he could not escape! Then he realised the wonderful truth that Jesus had died to set him free -- so now, although he still possessed this sinful nature, Christ had died to set him free. Now he points out (v.9) that it is not necessary to be CONTROLLED by the sinful nature -- instead we have the indwelling spirit of God. So now, there is no condemnation. In living by the Spirit of God, yes, we are still human, with a human nature, prone to sin, but we are not condemned, because we feel sorrow for our sins, and by faith in the blood of Christ, we are cleansed from those sins.

So, yes, if the Bible is allowed to answer its own questions, it will be an interesting class.

Beryl

How does it matter what one believes on justification?

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How much was involved in that 2 letter word..."it"??

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Abraham's belief -- without quibbling question -- that he was "just as though he had never sinned" before God.

Unfortunately, those who are always looking for reasons above and beyond what God has revealed to us, seem to make heavy going out of the simplest text. To say that mere belief equals justification is too simple -- but that is what the Bible says. I am simple enough to believe it.

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How does it matter what one believes on justification?

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The difference between eternal life and eternal death.

If I believe that justification is the gift of God, then I am promised eternal life. If I believe that works have just some little thing to do with it, then I am owed wages for my works, and "the wages of sin is death."

Gal 3
"6": Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
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James 2
"21": Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

"22": Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

"23": And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

"24": Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. -
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Rom 4
"2": For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

"3": For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

"4": Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

"5": But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
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Gen 15
"1": After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

"2": And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

"3": And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.

"4": And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.

"5": And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, SO SHALL THY SEED BE.

"6": And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
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Over what issue,topic,theme, notion, doctrine, experience, point, did Abraham believe the Lord?

Does it say that Abraham was pardoned because he acepted the cross for the penalty for his sins and used Christ's righteousness to substitute for his own and thus was justified?

As the sinner looks to the law, his guilt is made plain to him, and pressed home to his conscience, and he is condemned. His only comfort and hope is found in looking to
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the cross of Calvary. As he ventures upon the promises, taking God at His word, relief and peace come to his soul. He cries, "Lord, Thou hast promised to save all who come unto Thee in the name of Thy Son. I am a lost, helpless, hopeless soul. Lord, save, or I perish." His faith lays hold on Christ, and he is justified before God. {1SM 365.3}

But while God can be just, and yet justify the sinner through the merits of Christ, no man can cover his soul with the garments of Christ's righteousness while practicing known sins, or neglecting known duties. God requires the entire surrender of the heart, before justification can take place; and in order for man to retain justification, there must be continual obedience, through active, living faith that works by love and purifies the soul. {1SM 366.1}

There is no safety nor repose nor justification in transgression of the law. Man cannot hope to stand innocent before God, and at peace with Him through the merits of Christ, while he continues in sin. He must cease to transgress, and become loyal and true. As the sinner looks into the great moral looking glass, he sees his defects of character. He sees himself just as he is, spotted, defiled, and condemned. But he knows that the law cannot in any way remove the guilt or pardon the transgressor. He must go farther than this. The law is but the schoolmaster to bring him to Christ. He must look to his sin-bearing Saviour. And as Christ is revealed to him upon the cross of Calvary, dying beneath the weight of the sins of the whole world, the Holy Spirit shows him the attitude of God to all who repent of their transgressions.
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