|
This is a non-WLC article. When using resources from outside authors, we only publish the content that is 100% in harmony with the Bible and WLC current biblical beliefs. So such articles can be treated as if coming directly from WLC. We have been greatly blessed by the ministry of many servants of Yahuwah. But we do not advise our members to explore other works by these authors. Such works, we have excluded from publications because they contain errors. Sadly, we have yet to find a ministry that is error-free. If you are shocked by some non-WLC published content [articles/episodes], keep in mind Proverbs 4:18. Our understanding of His truth is evolving, as more light is shed on our pathway. We cherish truth more than life, and seek it wherever it may be found. |
That’s what the word ‘justification’ means. It means you have the verdict of the last judgment now. Justification does not mean to make us righteous inside and out. Once you come out of the baptismal pool, you will still have to fight bad temper, lust, gluttony, anger, and all the rest. Justifying does not mean making us internally righteous; it means declaring us righteous.
Remember those famous words that the Christian is simul iustus et pecattor – simultaneously righteous and a sinner. In ourselves, always a sinner; in Christ, always righteous. That is the good news, that I am righteous in Christ with all my faults and failings, even though I may be an imperfect husband, father, minister, imperfect everything, except I am a perfect sinner.
I am counted righteous, and I can never be lost while looking to Yahushua
However, despite all that, because I have found Christ and I have turned my back on the old life and despite many a stumbling, I am counted righteous and I can never be lost while looking to Yahushua, despite a thousand falls a day.
The Christian hates sin, flees from sin, and looks to Yahushua, but there are still many stumbles, dear friends. Someday, compare the description of the Christian in John Bunyan’s book, Pilgrim’s Progress, with what you read in a lot of religious material sold in the bookstores. The bookstores will tell you that once you become a Christian, there are no more problems; everything is solved, you don’t have to fight temptation, you’ve won over it, you have no problems now, it’s all under your feet, it’s a great life, and everything is going to go your way. That is not true. A walk is a continually interrupted stumbling…
Simul iustus et peccator – the Christian is simultaneously righteous and a sinner. I still have a sinful nature, though Yahuwah has come and given me a new nature that moment by moment dominates the old as I look to Yahushua. Remember, we are called to the Christian walk, and a walk is a continual, interrupted stumbling. James 2:3 reminds us, “In many things we all offend.” In many things, we all offend, but I have the verdict of the last judgment. Yahuwah has declared me righteous. I can see the truth at the cross. Christ was made what he was not, and he was treated as though he were a sinner – why? So that I, who am a sinner, can be treated as though I am righteous. That is the message of Romans, dear friends.
This is a non-WLC article by Dr. Desmond Ford.
We have replaced the English titles and names of the Father and the Son with those employed by the apostles. In the scriptural quotations provided, we have restored their original names as used by the inspired writers. Nevertheless, we acknowledge the historical development by which the name Yahushua came to be rendered as “Jesus.” Additionally, we recognize that the English term “God” has been commonly employed as an equivalent for the Hebrew Eloah or Elohim. -WLC Team