Does God Justify the Wicked

Bible Text: Romans 4:5 | Preacher: Alan Conner | Series: 2016, Reformed Faith

Northwest Bible Church – Oct. 30, 2016 – Reformation Sunday – Alan Conner
Does God Justify the Wicked?
Rom. 4:5
Intro

A. ABOMINATION TO THE LORD (Prov. 17:15).

Prov. 17:15           He who  justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous,

                Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

                                 What does “to justify” and “to condemn” mean?

1. It is a legal pronouncement of innocence/righteous or guilt.

2. Does not change the character of the person.

3. BOTH declarations are an abomination to the LORD.

B. HOW CAN GOD BE JUST AND YET JUSTIFY THE UNGODLY? (Rom. 4:5)

Rom. 4:5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.

How can God violate His own moral law and justify the wicked?

1. THE RCC VIEW: God justifies only the righteous.

a) Problem #1 – our righteousness can never save us. 64:6; Tit. 3:5.

b) Problem #2 – we are not saved by works. 3:28; Eph. 2:8-9

2. THE REFORMED VIEW:   God can justify the wicked who believe.

a) Rom. 3:24-26.

b) Justification is a free gift (v. 24).

c) “Through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus” – REDEMPTION REMOVES OUR SIN    Mic. 7:19; Ps. 103:12; Isa. 38:17; 43:25.

d) “propitiation in His blood through faith” – PROPITIATION REMOVES GOD’S WRATH     1 Jn. 2:2

e) Faith receives the gift of Christ’s imputed righteousness. 3:9; Gen. 15:6

f) Double Imputation/transfer.

Conclusion