Justification by grace and application - Franklin Morais in Malaysia

Centrality of the Gospel of Christ

Introduction

The main point of this article is that whatever is to be preached, taught and shared from the pulpit, or whenever God's people come together, must be derived from the gospel of Christ Jesus, and especially to its core point; justification by grace through faith in Christ alone.

Scripture

The plainest Scripture which captures, in just a verse, the awesome truth of this glorious central core of the gospel doctrine, is 2 Cor 5:21, 'For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.'

Explanation, Elaboration and Illustration

In a gloriously wonderful yet mysterious way, God the Father has willed it that God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, through the mediating work of God the Spirit, should take upon Himself, the sin, the curse and the shame of God's creation, mankind, and in a marvellous way, Himself became sin, and took God's judgement, His most severest judgment, which was actually supposed to be ours to suffer, and in an amazing show of utter grace and mercy, by His perfectly obedient life, even life unto death, has now transferred, or imputed, to all who hears this word, and believes, all His rewards. We are therefore now reckoned as righteous before God because of Christ's atoning work. God now reckons us as having Christ's righteousness, and therefore, welcomed into God's family, with all its privilges and benefits thereof. See why we cannot help but worship and sing His praises? See why it is not difficult to live for His glory?

We therefore, in believing this glorious doctrine, sheerly by His grace and mercy, live in freedom from sin and condemnation. We live in the sure knowledge that our core essence for need of significance, security and satisfaction is fulfilled in Christ Jesus. In His perfect obedient life, His substitionary death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection which secures our justification.

Application today

What's your problem today? What drives you? What saddens you? What irritates you? What really gets you down? At the very core of these issues which plague your heart is an emptiness which cannot bear the heart during such crises. A void which is so deep, so high, so wide and so long that only something or someone infinite can fill it.

Why are you angry with that person? Why can't you get along with that member of the family, or colleague? What are you fearful of losing? Again, at the root core, there is a vacuum, or lacuna, that is so infinitely dimensioned that only an infinite being can fill it.

We need to be loved. We need to know, from someone else's mouth, that we are significant, secured and satisfying to another. And yet, no eartly person can give this to us in a genuine way. And not in a sustained way. Perhaps because of its very nature of infinitude?

Therefore, one has to come from somewhere or something divine, and out of our existence, and yet, so thoroughly acquainted with our world, and is able to help us, or deliver us from ourselves and our existence.

And the good news of the Gospel (which in itself means good news!) is that One indeed has come from the outside. One who is perfectly divine and perfectly human. This One therefore can understand God perfectly and man perfectly. This God-man is the Lord Jesus Christ. The Scripture says that Jesus is the very embodiment of God. He contains the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And even more amazing. All those who are led by His glorious gospel of grace, are led to put their faith and trust in Him for their salvation, and are 'complete in Him!' (Col 2:10).