MIKE MAZZALONGO Becoming Acceptable to God (continued) 16

1.He Chooses: Election 2.He Guarantees: Predestination 3.He Pays: Atonement 4.He Frees: Redemption 5.He Renews: Regeneration God’s Plan of Salvation

6.Adoption: Human Perspective 7.Justification: Legal Perspective Five Views of God’s Plan

Ignorance = Condemnation Knowledge = Helplessness The Dilemma

1. Primitive Sacrificial System Appeasing the “gods” Jewish System given by God Man’s Attempts at Self-Justification

But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. - Hebrews 10:3-4

1.Primitive Sacrificial System 2.Law Keeping I.E. Observance of Laws/Rituals Guaranteed Salvation. Main error was not understanding the true demands of the Law. Man’s Attempts at Self-Justification

N. T. Christianity is unique in that it is the only major religion that does not base acceptability before God on performance.

1.Primitive Sacrificial System 2.Law Keeping 3. Human Philosophy Perfection through knowledge Man’s Attempts at Self-Justification

We create our own standard and then change it when it doesn’t suit us anymore.

1. The Time is Now! for He says, “AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.” Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION” - II Cor.6:2 God’s Time & Method For Justification

1.The Time is Now! 2. The Method is by IMPUTATION. IMPUTE = To Put Something on to someone else. - “Honorary” College degree. God’s Time & Method For Justification

Jesus “earns” perfection by perfectly obeying God.

Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. - Romans 3:19-20

But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, - Romans 3:21

even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; - Romans 3:22-24

This is the only method that a person can be justified or made acceptable before God. God’s Time & Method For Justification

Paul combines the “Moment” with the “Method” of Justification in Gal. 3:26-27: 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

God Knew Believers Would Become His Acceptable Children Through Christ. God’s Time & Method For Justification