The Lakehouse - Justification by Faith

	Who We Are and What We Believe
	Justification by Faith
	Jesus Christ, The Savior of Humanity
	Apostolic Teaching and Practice
	The Image and Likeness of God
	The Cross of Jesus Christ
	Committing Your Life To God
	The Central Sacraments of the Church
	Prayer
	The Five Fidelities

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The Lakehouse
Justification by Faith

Justification by Faith

There is a truly orthodox approach to the doctrine of salvation, and the discussion centers around the New Covenant. Justification (being or becoming righteous) by faith in God is part of being brought into a covenant relationship with Him. Salvation comes through faith in Christ who fulfills the law, and we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, leading us to the knowledge of God the Father. Whereas some Christians focus on justification as a legal acquittal before God, The believer sees justification by faith as a covenant relationship with Him, centered in union with Christ.

The orthodox teaching emphasizes it is first God's mercy - not our faith - which saves us. "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1-2) It is God who initiates or makes the New Covenant with us.

Justification by faith is dynamic, not static. Faith is living, dynamic, continuous--never static or merely point-in-time. Faith is not something a Christian exercises only at one critical moment, expecting it to cover all the rest of his life. True faith is not just a decision; it is a way of life.

Justification by faith should pose no problem for a Christian. However, justification by faith alone brings up an objection. It contradicts Scripture, which says, "You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. (James 2:24) We are "... justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. (Romans 3:28), but nowhere does the Bible say we are justified by faith "alone." On the contrary, "...faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." (James 2:17)

Therefore, by God's mercy, we are brought into a New Covenant relationship with Him. We who believe are granted entrance into the Kingdom of God by His grace. Through His mercy, we are justified by faith and empowered by God for good works or deeds of righteousness, which bring glory to Him.

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