Lesson Five: Saved and Justified

📅 Date: October 12, 2025 📖 Text: Romans 8:29–30

Supporting Scriptures: Matthew 5:16; Romans 3:26; Romans 5:1; Galatians 2:16; Romans 4:5; Romans 8:1, 33–34; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9; Romans 5:17; Luket 10:19; Hebrews 4:16; Ephesians 2:10

INTRODUCTION

We're learning how to apply redemption to our lives so that its fruit becomes visible, and Christ is glorified.

Matthew 5:16“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Jesus isn’t calling us to perform.

He’s calling us to reveal what has already been done in us.

This light is the fruit of justification — the evidence of salvation in action.

“We don’t shine to be seen. We shine because we’ve been changed.”

WHAT IS JUSTIFICATION?

The word “justified” – Greek: dikaióō – means “to declare righteous,” especially in a legal sense.

Romans 8:30 – “Whom He called, these He also justified…”

Justification Defined:

An instantaneous legal act of God

Where He:

Declares the sinner righteous

Removes all guilt

Cancels the penalty of sin

Credits Christ’s righteousness to the believer

Supporting Texts:

Romans 3:26 – “...justifies him who has faith in Jesus”

Romans 5:1 – “...justified by faith, we have peace with God...”

Galatians 2:16 – “...not by works, but by faith in Jesus Christ”

Romans 4:5 – “His faith is counted as righteousness”

Romans 8:1 – “There is now no condemnation...”

"You are not justified because you’ve changed — you change because you’ve been justified."

THE TWO SIDES OF JUSTIFICATION

1. Forgiveness of Sins

Romans 4:7 – “...whose lawless deeds are forgiven...”

Our record is wiped clean.

No longer liable to punishment.

2. Imputation of Righteousness

Philippians 3:9 – “...righteousness from God that depends on faith”

2 Corinthians 5:21 – “He made Him... to be sin... so that we might become the righteousness of God”

Imputed = credited to our account.

Jesus didn’t just take our place in death — He gave us His place in righteousness.

Important Thought:

“Forgiveness handles your past. Imputed righteousness secures your future.”

ILLUSTRATION: THE ROBE EXCHANGE

Imagine standing guilty before a judge, in filthy clothes. He forgives your crime — but then takes off his royal robe and places it on you. You walk out free and honored.

You’re not just “not guilty.” You’re righteous. You’re robed. You’re justified.

THE PURPOSE OF JUSTIFICATION: TO REIGN IN LIFE

Romans 5:17

“...those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”

“By one man’s offense” = Adam (sin, death, guilt)

“Much more” = Jesus (life, righteousness, reigning)

This is not future-tense only — it’s present-day victory.

Important Truth:

“We weren’t justified just to survive. We were justified to reign.”

FOUR FRUITS OF JUSTIFICATION FOR THE BELIEVER

1. Victory – We’ve Been Freed from Sin’s Power

Romans 6:14 – “Sin shall not have dominion over you…”

Justified people don’t live in bondage.

You fight from victory — not for it.

“The verdict broke the chains.”

2. Authority – We’ve Been Given Legal Standing

Luke 10:19 – “I give you authority... over all the power of the enemy...”

You have spiritual jurisdiction.

You pray, bind, loose, and declare with legal authority.

“You’re not on probation. You’re in position.”

3. Confidence – We Know Where We Stand

Hebrews 4:16 – “Come boldly to the throne of grace…”

We don’t approach timidly — we belong there.

Romans 5:1 – “We have peace with God...”

“Justified people don’t tiptoe into God’s presence — they walk in like sons and daughters.”

4. Purpose – We’ve Been Set Apart to Glorify God

Ephesians 2:10 – “We are His workmanship… created for good works…”

Your light shines because you've been made righteous.

Your walk becomes your witness.

“We’re not saved to sit. We’re justified to shine.”

CLOSING TRUTHS: WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU

If you are justified:

You are not under guilt – Jesus already carried it.

You are not under condemnation – the case is closed.

You are not under striving – you’re working from grace, not for approval.

You are not under fear – you have peace with God.

You are not under limitation – you’ve been called to reign in life!