The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1941-08-01

7 GOLDEN TExr-As It is written. The lust
shall live by faith.-Roma III.
Justification by faith is doctrine
which lies at the very heart of the
gospel. 1t provides the answer TO
mans age-old question, What must
do to be saved?" (Acis $500.
"This was a question with which
Paul had himself grapplcd. and for
years he had sought salvation in
the traditional Jewish way. Then
one day he met Christ and he under
went spiritual transformation
through faith in Him, apart from the
works of the law. Because of that
experience, and because of the
divine revelations mace To kim. he
was able to show others how to be
saved and how to live a life of vic
tory. Among the writers of the New
Testament it is Paul who most
clearly sets forth the doctrine of
justification by faith, doctrine
which has brought comfort of soul
to multitudes, and the conscious
ness of sins forgiven" (Olmstead).
I. How Can God BE Just and
Justify Sinners? (Rom. 3:2l-3D.
The portion of Romans lust pre-
ceding our lesson is devoted to a
devastating treatment of mans sim
fulness, bringing him face to face
with the question, "What can l do
about it," The answer has a hone
less ring to it.
l. Man has no righteousness of
his own, and cannot by any of his
own works save himself. "IIe has
tried many ways, in every age, but
no human being, or groups of men
or women, have ever devised any
scheme, have ever conceived of any
ritual, have ever established any re-
llglon by their own efforts, through
which peace with God has been
found and sinner has been en-
abled to stand before holy God
without condemnation Man being
helpless, God now intcrvenes" (Wil-
bur M. SMITH.
2. Christ paid the penalty for
mans sin by His own blood. How
clearly verse rs declares the sacri-
fetal death Of Christ to provide
covering of blood (the real meaning
of "propitiation") which will enable
just God to forgive the sinner that
believes in Christ ". 22). Why not
receive 1t in all its grace and power.
not trying to explain it away or to
evade its requirements? Why at
tempt to provide some other means
of salvation when we know that
without the shedding of blood is
no remission" of sin (Hcb. CPD?
3. Man receives salvation by
grace through futh, apart from
works. Man can only be Justified
freely by his grace" ". 24). It is
for "thcm that believe" ". 22). it is
through faith" Wv. 25, 26) and,
note with care, IMAM is justified by
faith apart from the works of the
law ". 28) Thus God establishes
the law ". 80 and yet becomes the
righteous just.fer of a rcpcntant be-
llcVing sinner.
III. What Happens When a Man Is
Justified? Rom. 81, D.
These verses sound like the uplift-
ing music OF a mighty organ, with
the celestial choirs joining in to sing.
wherefore being justified by faith.
we have" - What? Oh MANY pre-
cious possessions, three Of which
are here mentioned.
/. peace With God"
Through our Lord Jesus Christ"
the barrier of SIN with all its mali
clous enmity has been broken down
and the believer is at peace with
God. What could be more wonder
full than thus to be really 'in tune
with the Infinite? That is some
thing, by the way, which can only
be true Of the believer, one who has
/ both peace with God and the peace
OF God flooding his soul. Every sin
ner who covets tina, experience NAV
have it-now-by faith in Christ.
2. Standing in Grace.
ITO stand in grace is TO occupy
the position wherein love is able 10
carry out its desires. To stand in
grace is TO come into such relation
ship with the Lord that He NAV do
that thing that is in His heart. the
thing which His love prompts. To
stand in favor is TO be unafraid. II is
to be able to pass into the presence
of One of whom we are unafraid. and
know that there will be welcome. 1,
/ is to know that 10 come into the pres.
ence of this One is to receive, not
necessarily a gift, but love, and OF
Himself, IN communion which is
unbroken and perfect" &C. Campbell
Morgan).
3. Rejoicing in Hope. r
The world is sorrowful for il ba.
lost hope, but the believer rejoice,
"in hope Of the glory of God" "
p. The Christian has the forwar,
look. His future is as bright as IN,
promises of God. lie knows that n,
will one day see the glory of Coz
revealed in all His holiness. power
love and grace. Even now the be
lever has that hope in his heart
and lives a rejoicing life Cor shout,
do SOD. It's a great thing 10 !,