ROMANS 8:28-30 – And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

THEME OF THE DAY. THE JOY OF LIVING OUT DOCTRINE. Doctrine is fundamental to successful Christian living. It’s what sets the foundation to build a godly life that endures temptations, persecution, and sets the course for a life of consistent growth in Christlikeness. It is the teaching and preaching of doctrine which is the chief task of the church. The Apostle Paul stressed this in his letter to the Ephesians – “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” (Ephesians 4:11-14). This truth establishes that doctrine matters in the church and life of every Christian.

When doctrine is dismissed as secondary, divisive, and compromised in the church and Christian life, all kinds of problems arise. Churches become pragmatic trying to do God’s work by worldly methods. Instead of fervent prayer, the supremacy of preaching, and sacrificial love, activities and events become “the church growth strategy” instead of the New Testament pattern for church growth. Activities and events are not wrong, but they are not the means to reach the lost and grow the church. But lack of doctrinal emphasis also negatively impacts individual Christians in their walks with the Lord. Without sound doctrine renewing their minds and directing their lives, they must rely upon personal, subjective experiences and such reliance always produces a spiritual life of inconsistency and craving new experiences. When one reads the New Testament, doctrine is foremost and everywhere. And that should be the pattern in our churches and lives as well. But I know the argument and have heard the argument – “Theology and doctrine are dry and boring.” If that is what we are getting in our churches “boring and dry” when it comes to doctrine, something is wrong in the pulpit. Doctrine taught right informs the mind and enflames the heart. It is to set one “on fire” for the Lord. And there is one doctrine above all other Biblical doctrines which will do that. It is the doctrine of justification by faith.

Time and space doesn’t allow a thorough expounding of this glorious doctrine so here are two simple definitions. Warren Wiersbe writes, “Justification is the gracious act of God in declaring righteous the sinner who believes on Jesus Christ.” Notice the word “act” and who does the “act” – God. J. I. Packer defines justification as “a judicial act of God pardoning sinners, accepting them as just, and so putting permanently right their previously estranged relationship with Himself. This justifying sentence is God’s gift of righteousness, His bestowal of a status of acceptance for Jesus’ sake.”

After reading those Biblical definitions of the doctrine of justification, we should be jumping up and down, shouting “Praise the Lord. Hallelujah, what a Savior.” Think about it. God is telling us, “I don’t see you any longer as my enemy or a sinner. You are forever right with me, justified, and I will never see you in any other light because My Son satisfied my wrath you deserved so I could freely justify you.” There is no greater joy than to live out the doctrine of justification. It brings energy to live for God. It brings motivation to love God. It makes getting up each day an exciting event knowing we are free from condemnation and free to walk with God. Yes, doctrine matters, not only to stabilize us in a fallen world, but also to guide us into a life of joy unspeakable and full of glory. May God help us be in doctrinally sound churches and be doctrinally sound Christians.

PRAYER: “Father, help me to live out my justification with passion, holy zeal, and affection.”

QUOTE: “For God to see us perfect because of our union in His Son is the greatest motive to pursue His likeness.”