Freedom, The Grand Proposition - Part One

Galatians 2:15-16
"We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; 16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.

Colossians 1:15-20

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19 For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

The source of our righteousness- freedom from sin- is never perfect performance but, rather, something which God gives us—a free gift based upon our faith.
It is difficult for human beings to trust that God makes us righteous based upon our faith in Christ and not upon our works of merit.

Justification (Salvation) by grace through faith is the plan that God has revealed to be his method of bringing us back into fellowship with him. We must trust his revealed plan even when it is not “self-evident.”

Good Will Hunting.
1. In the mathematics department at a prestigious university.
2. On the blackboard there was a famous equation which no one had ever solved.
3. Matt Damon was the night janitor.
4. One night he looked at the problem and scratched out the solution there on the blackboard.
5. The next school day the professor came in and saw that someone had solved the equation and began looking for the unidentified genius.

Proposition - a definition.
1. General: a subject or statement to be discussed or debated.
2. Mathematics: a theorem to be demonstrated or proved.
a. Theorem: something that is not self-evident.
b. But that can be demonstrated to be true:
(1) Through the use of accepted premises.
(2) And accepted procedures.

The doctrine of “Justification by Faith” is attractive to the human mind:
(1) It makes our lives simple.
(2) It meets us right where we are: hopelessly enslaved by sin.
(3) And so justification by faith is not self-evident.

So here are our premises:
(1) About God:
(a) He cannot lie.
(b) He is not affected by sin.
(c) He is perfect in every way.
(d) So, his perception is more accurate than ours.
(e) He has revealed his plan for dealing with sin.

(2) About human beings:
(a) Sin has entered our psyche, (b) Therefore, our perceptions are flawed.
(c) We have a difficult time fully trusting God at his word (it has always been this way).
(d) We are completely incapable of dealing with even one sin much less all sin.
(e) We are intelligent enough to read and understand God’s revealed plan for our salvation.

The Grand Proposition, Galatians 2:15-16.
1. We are justified (made righteous, set free), 2. Not by works of law, 3. But by [the] faith in [of] Jesus Christ.
Therefore, it must be something God gives us—a free gift.

The nature of human beings.
1. We have fallen.
2. Romans 3:23. a. For all human beings have sinned.

The nature of any law of works.
1. Demands perfect performance.
2. Condemns the violator on the first violation.
3. Can never make a person righteous.

BUT, By a Law of Faith, Galatians 2:16b.
The law of liberty/freedom, James 1:25: But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty…will be blessed in their doing.

How does the Law of Faith work? What are its rules or principles?

Romans 3:21-26 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-- 26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

 

Illustration - Baseball Game
I read this week about a baseball game that one day took place. It seems that the Lord’s team was playing Satan’s team. The Lord’s team was at bat, the score was zero to zero, and it was in the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs. Coach and the Lord stood by observing the game.

As they watched .. a batter stepped up the plate whose name was LOVE. Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because love never fails.
The next batter was named FAITH, who also got a single because faith works with love.

The next batter was named GODLY WISDOM. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch. Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass... ball one. Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked, because Godly wisdom never swings at what Satan throws.

The bases were loaded. The Lord then turned to Coach and told him He was now going to bring in His star player.
Up to the plate stepped GRACE.
Coach said, "He sure doesn’t look like much."

Satan’s whole team relaxed when they saw Grace. Thinking he had won the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen. But Satan was not worried, as his center fielder let very few get by.

He went up for the ball, but it went right through his glove, hit him on the head and sent him crashing on the ground. Then it continued over the fence for a home run! The Lord’s team won.

The Lord then asked Coach if he knew why LOVE, FAITH, and GODLY WISDOM could get on base but could not win the game. Coach answered that he didn’t know why.

The Lord explained, "If your love, faith and wisdom had won the game you would think you had done it by yourself. Love, faith and wisdom will get you on base, but only My GRACE can get you home."