No one will enter heaven that has not been justified and found innocent of sin.
Justification is a legal word. In a court of law the defendant is considered to be guilty until they are justified by being found innocent. If they are NOT found to be innocent they will be condemned. Jesus was condemned for us, "He who knew no sin, became sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Paul wrote, "Therefore, being justified by faith (not religion) we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1.
We have peace with God because we have been found to be innocent. If you were not found to be innocent you would be condemned. This is why Paul wrote,
"There is therefore no condemnation to them which are IN CHRIST JESUS who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" Romans 8:1.
What does it mean to walk after the Spirit? To walk after the Spirit is to walk in the Gospel. In the Gospel Jesus is the one that justifies us and gives us peace with God. Jesus makes us right with God. Religion is of the flesh and does not justify.
"To declare, I say, at this time HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS: that he might be just and THE JUSTIFIER of him that believes in Jesus" Romans 3:26.
It is the righteousness of Jesus that justifies us and gives us peace with God. There is no saving merit in faith, however, it is our faith that makes the Gospel ours. In God's court (the judgment) of law Jesus stands in our place and declares his righteousness? He does this in our name and on our behalf.
Because we have been justified by Jesus Christ, this also means that we have been reconciled to God. No one will be or can be reconciled to God without being first justified. No justification, no reconciliation and no salvation.
"And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ" 2 Corinthians 5:18.
If you don't believe that you have been reconciled to God by Jesus Christ and instead believe that you have been predestinated to salvation, this Gospel is not yours. If you believe that you can participate in your own salvation by works or whatever, this Gospel is not yours.
This is why we are justified by faith and by faith alone, plus nothing.
Justification is a legal word. In a court of law the defendant is considered to be guilty until they are justified by being found innocent. If they are NOT found to be innocent they will be condemned. Jesus was condemned for us, "He who knew no sin, became sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Paul wrote, "Therefore, being justified by faith (not religion) we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1.
We have peace with God because we have been found to be innocent. If you were not found to be innocent you would be condemned. This is why Paul wrote,
"There is therefore no condemnation to them which are IN CHRIST JESUS who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" Romans 8:1.
What does it mean to walk after the Spirit? To walk after the Spirit is to walk in the Gospel. In the Gospel Jesus is the one that justifies us and gives us peace with God. Jesus makes us right with God. Religion is of the flesh and does not justify.
"To declare, I say, at this time HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS: that he might be just and THE JUSTIFIER of him that believes in Jesus" Romans 3:26.
It is the righteousness of Jesus that justifies us and gives us peace with God. There is no saving merit in faith, however, it is our faith that makes the Gospel ours. In God's court (the judgment) of law Jesus stands in our place and declares his righteousness? He does this in our name and on our behalf.
Because we have been justified by Jesus Christ, this also means that we have been reconciled to God. No one will be or can be reconciled to God without being first justified. No justification, no reconciliation and no salvation.
"And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ" 2 Corinthians 5:18.
If you don't believe that you have been reconciled to God by Jesus Christ and instead believe that you have been predestinated to salvation, this Gospel is not yours. If you believe that you can participate in your own salvation by works or whatever, this Gospel is not yours.
This is why we are justified by faith and by faith alone, plus nothing.