Justification

Handling the word of truth

Bible Study

In Mission and in Ministry

Part Two

C. F. W. Walther said, Rightly distinguishing the law and the gospel is the most difficult and the highest art of Christians in general and of theologians in particular. It is taught only by the Holy Spirit in the school of experience. The challenge is not only correctly to identify law and gospel in Scripture and in our speaking, but properly to apply each doctrine in a given circumstance. For each of the statements below, do the following: Evaluate each of the statements below and determine whether it is law or gospel (or includes both). You may wish to refer to Table 1 in the essay Justification in Mission and in Ministry for a comparison of some of the characteristics of law and gospel. Discuss how each statement might be used correctly or incorrectly under differing circumstances.

1. ____________How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! (1 John 3:1) 2. ____________If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth (1 John 1:7). 3. ____________Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48). 4. ____________Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:34). 5. ____________Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another (Hebrews 10:24,25). 6. ____________If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God (Hebrews 10:26). 7. ____________If you love me, you will obey what I command. This is my command: Love each other (John 14:15; 15:17). 8. ____________I will raise up a righteous Branch, declares the LORD. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:5,6). 9. ____________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 (Isaiah 53:5). 10. ___________Go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). 11. ___________The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong (Psalm 5:5). 12. ___________Why do you keep doing the same thing over and over again? Ill forgive you when youre really sorry and stop your destructive behavior. 13. ___________God loves you, and he paid for your sins 2,000 years ago when Jesus said on the cross, It is finished. 14. ___________Christians are free to live to the glory of God. 15. ___________Christians are free to do whatever we want. 16. ___________All sins are the same.

2 What are the two causes of mankinds salvation? 1. 2. What is the relationship of faith to justification?

Wrestling with tough issues

Our synod is facing financial challenges which necessitate cutting back administration, curtailing home mission work and recalling missionaries from foreign fields. Apply law and gospel to this present challenge in the following three areas: 1. Your personal role as a Christian.

2.

Your local congregation.

3.

The synod as a whole.

Describe how the gospel of objective justification empowers and motivates your love for the Lord. Can the doctrine become a crutch or an excuse for laziness, apathy or false comfort?

We make choices with the resources God gives us. For example, in our church body we spend considerable amounts of time and resources on things other than preaching, teaching, witnessing and outreach. From your perspective, what impact would it have on our church body if we allocated more time, money and other resources on evangelism, witnessing and mission work?

Bible study by Pastor Jon D. Buchholz Prepared for the 58th Biennial Convention of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod Meeting at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minnesota July 28, 2005