Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.
Synopsis
Sequeira defines justification as God's judicial declaration that the sinner stands perfectly righteous before the law, on the sole ground of Christ's doing and dying. He distinguishes legal (objective) justification, accomplished for the race at the cross and resurrection, from experiential (subjective) justification, which becomes the individual's possession by faith. Faith is not a work, not a virtue, and not a contribution; it is the empty hand of a beggar and the surrender of self-trust. Justification is therefore instantaneous, complete, and never improved upon — the believer is not more justified after fifty years than in the first hour. Sequeira also carefully separates justification from sanctification while refusing to divorce them: the one is our title to heaven, the other our fitness for it, and both flow from union with Christ. Much of the chapter is spent dismantling the subtle legalism that treats justification as a probationary status that our performance can strengthen or forfeit.
Key points
- Justification is a declared legal status, not an infused quality.
- Legal justification is universal; experiential justification is by faith.
- Faith is receptive, not meritorious.
- Justification is complete at the moment of faith and cannot be improved by works.
Key passages
- Romans 3:21-28
- Romans 4:1-8
- Romans 5:1
- Titus 3:5-7
- Philippians 3:8-9
Study questions12 total
- 1.Comprehension
How does Sequeira define justification, and how does he distinguish its legal and experiential aspects?
- 2.Scripture
Work through Romans 3:21-28. On what ground is a person justified, and what is explicitly excluded?
- 3.Scripture
Examine Romans 4:1-8. Why does Paul choose Abraham and David to prove justification apart from works?
- 4.Contrast
Contrast the Roman Catholic idea of justification as 'making righteous' with the biblical idea of 'declaring righteous.' Why does the difference matter?
- 5.Doctrinal Clarity
If faith were meritorious, what would be the practical consequences for assurance? How does Sequeira guard against this?
- 6.Scripture
Explain Philippians 3:8-9. What kind of righteousness is Paul renouncing, and what is he receiving?
- 7.Doctrinal Clarity
Can a justified believer be more justified tomorrow? Defend your answer.
- 8.Doctrinal Clarity
How does Sequeira relate justification and sanctification without confusing or separating them?
- 9.Doctrinal Clarity
What is the difference between assurance and presumption in this framework?
- 10.Application
Describe how a settled understanding of justification would change how you approach your daily failures.
- 11.Application
How would you counsel a member who says 'I can never be sure I am good enough for heaven'?
- 12.Application
Write your own definition of justification in twenty-five words or fewer.