Lesson 42

Why are some guilty people forgiven and given eternal life by God while others are not?

What declaration did God make about all sinners as a result of Jesus’ saving work? Jeremiah 31:34 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

What declaration did God make about all sinners as a result of Jesus’ saving work? 2 Corinthians 5:19 …that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. “Not Guilty!” God declares that he doesn’t count our sins against us

What declaration did God make about all sinners as a result of Jesus’ saving work? Isaiah 53:5-6 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

What declaration did God make about all sinners as a result of Jesus’ saving work? John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! God put all the sins of the world on Jesus and punished him for them

Key Point #1 As the result of Jesus’ work, God made the declaration that the sins of all people are forgiven (universal justification).

How do many people reject this declaration of God about their sins? Romans 10:3 Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. People reject Jesus’ payment for them and want to earn forgiveness by their works

How do many people reject this declaration of God about their sins? Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. People reject Jesus’ payment for them and want to earn forgiveness by their works

How do many people reject this declaration of God about their sins? Galatians 5:4 You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. People reject Jesus’ payment for them and want to earn forgiveness by their works lose forgiveness

Key Point #2 Many people reject the gift of God’s forgiveness and lose it completely by trying to earn God’s forgiveness on their own.

Why is it so important, then, that the Holy Spirit work faith in each of us? Romans 4:5 However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. The Holy Spirit

Why is it so important, then, that the Holy Spirit work faith in each of us? Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. The Holy Spirit

Why is it so important, then, that the Holy Spirit work faith in each of us? Philippians 3:8-9 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. The Holy Spirit works faith in people and they accept God’s free forgiveness gain forgiveness

Key Point #3 It’s important that the Holy Spirit works faith in me so that I don’t trust in my own works for forgiveness but humbly accept God’s declaration that through Jesus my sins are forgiven (personal justification).

Agree or Disagree? Right now, in God’s eyes, it is just as though you and I had never broken any of God’s laws even once in our entire lives.

Tell several things that are wrong with this statement: Jesus’ death made it possible for my sins to be forgiven, but they aren’t actually forgiven until I believe.

Lesson 42 I and all believers are forgiven because the Holy Spirit has led us by faith to accept God’s free forgiveness. Other people reject God’s free forgiveness and lose eternal life.

Vocabulary… “Forgive” to let go

Vocabulary… “Justification” a “not guilty” verdict

Vocabulary… “Objective Justification” all people are declared “not guilty”

Vocabulary… “Subjective Justification” receiving the “not guilty” verdict through faith