Michael Reeves

There's a set of words you could use if that's what you wanted to say. That's not what the New Testament says. And this, in fact, is now granted by many Roman Catholic scholars. Take, for example, Leslie Rumble who writes, Now it is quite true that Paul made use of a word which in the Greek language had the technical meaning of legal acquittal.

There's a set of words you could use if that's what you wanted to say. That's not what the New Testament says. And this, in fact, is now granted by many Roman Catholic scholars. Take, for example, Leslie Rumble who writes, Now it is quite true that Paul made use of a word which in the Greek language had the technical meaning of legal acquittal.

And if the word can have no other meaning than the one, that would scarcely dispute the interpretation of justification as implying no more than to be counted as righteous or not guilty in the sight of God. which makes it sound like he's saying Luther's right. But, he goes on, alas, Luther had not the advantages of modern scholarship. Ah, modern scholarship.

And if the word can have no other meaning than the one, that would scarcely dispute the interpretation of justification as implying no more than to be counted as righteous or not guilty in the sight of God. which makes it sound like he's saying Luther's right. But, he goes on, alas, Luther had not the advantages of modern scholarship. Ah, modern scholarship.

He belonged to an age, he writes, when it was thought that the real meaning of the New Testament could be best ascertained by discovering the exact sense of the Greek language in which the books were originally written. Oh, Luther.

He belonged to an age, he writes, when it was thought that the real meaning of the New Testament could be best ascertained by discovering the exact sense of the Greek language in which the books were originally written. Oh, Luther.

But while acknowledging that the meaning of the New Testament supports Luther's understanding, Rumble rejects this on the basis that, I quote, the whole religious outlook takes precedence over the fine print. So the whole religious outlook takes precedence over the actual words of the Bible. Justification was the matter of the Reformation, and through it,

But while acknowledging that the meaning of the New Testament supports Luther's understanding, Rumble rejects this on the basis that, I quote, the whole religious outlook takes precedence over the fine print. So the whole religious outlook takes precedence over the actual words of the Bible. Justification was the matter of the Reformation, and through it,

God was glorified as utterly merciful and good, as both supremely holy and compassionate. And therefore, people found they could find their comfort and delight in this God. Here, the Reformers saw is a God who loves failures first, not one who simply approves those who've sorted themselves out. And so the glory of this God became the root of true satisfaction and joy for believers.

God was glorified as utterly merciful and good, as both supremely holy and compassionate. And therefore, people found they could find their comfort and delight in this God. Here, the Reformers saw is a God who loves failures first, not one who simply approves those who've sorted themselves out. And so the glory of this God became the root of true satisfaction and joy for believers.

It became their guiding light, their ultimate goal. And so here is how Luther, remember the man who once said he hated God? Here's how he would come to speak of God in his glory and love. Luther wrote, The love of God does not find but creates that which is pleasing to it. The love of God loves sinners, evil persons, fools, and weaklings in order to make them righteous, good, wise, and strong.

It became their guiding light, their ultimate goal. And so here is how Luther, remember the man who once said he hated God? Here's how he would come to speak of God in his glory and love. Luther wrote, The love of God does not find but creates that which is pleasing to it. The love of God loves sinners, evil persons, fools, and weaklings in order to make them righteous, good, wise, and strong.

Therefore, sinners are attractive because they're loved. They're not loved because they're attractive. He's showing how all this still matters because you will never love God and lean into the Christian life without it. You will not love God unless you know he loves you first. You will not love him unless you know a security in which to enjoy him.

Therefore, sinners are attractive because they're loved. They're not loved because they're attractive. He's showing how all this still matters because you will never love God and lean into the Christian life without it. You will not love God unless you know he loves you first. You will not love him unless you know a security in which to enjoy him.

And therefore, justification by faith alone must be the very foundation stone of healthy Christian living. Without it, you will not have a life of joy and integrity before God. But with it, you can say this with Luther, When the devil throws our sins up to us and declares that we deserve death and hell, we ought to speak like this. I admit I deserve death and hell. What of it?

And therefore, justification by faith alone must be the very foundation stone of healthy Christian living. Without it, you will not have a life of joy and integrity before God. But with it, you can say this with Luther, When the devil throws our sins up to us and declares that we deserve death and hell, we ought to speak like this. I admit I deserve death and hell. What of it?

Does this mean I shall be sentenced to eternal damnation? By no means, for I know one who suffered and made satisfaction in my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ. the Son of God, and where he is, there I shall be also. For no sin is greater than the blood of this Lamb, and we are clothed in him.

Does this mean I shall be sentenced to eternal damnation? By no means, for I know one who suffered and made satisfaction in my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ. the Son of God, and where he is, there I shall be also. For no sin is greater than the blood of this Lamb, and we are clothed in him.

Justification by faith alone, this declarative act, means that we who know we are a sea of failures can approach a holy God with with absolute honesty and absolute boldness. Absolute honesty about our failure and boldness because of Christ and not anything we've done. It's hard to do both, isn't it? To have both honesty about our failures, our sinfulness before a holy God and boldness.

Justification by faith alone, this declarative act, means that we who know we are a sea of failures can approach a holy God with with absolute honesty and absolute boldness. Absolute honesty about our failure and boldness because of Christ and not anything we've done. It's hard to do both, isn't it? To have both honesty about our failures, our sinfulness before a holy God and boldness.