# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S281
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

II. THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS­­—COMMISSION ON THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

Justification

281

FROM TWO STANDPOINTS
WEEK FOUR

1.

From God toward humanity (objective): God is just, yet He
is also gracious. He has declared the forgiveness of sins
for all the world, for the sake of Christ. This is the Gospel
truth! (Objective factuality, believed or not.)

2.

From humanity toward God (subjective): Gifts may be given
and not received. Promises may be made and not believed.
But God’s promise is received by those who believe.

Jesus

&
Justification

Setting

THE STAGE

Read Rom. 4:16–5:2.

Another

LOOK AT ABRAHAM & FAITH

–

What does Abraham illustrate?

–

How do promise and faith relate?

–

Who alone makes promises that are always true?

Faith:

THE APPROPRIATION OF
CHRIST’S RIGHTEOUSNESS

Justification’s essentials are
Read James 2:14–26.

–

God’s grace

–

What does Abraham illustrate for James?

–

Christ’s merit

–

How do faith and works relate?

–

Faith

–

Who alone makes promises that are always true?

–

How does faith respond when God speaks?

The only essential and necessary elements of
justification are the grace of God, the merit of Christ, and
the faith that receives this grace and merit in the
gospel’s promise, through which Christ’s righteousness
is reckoned to us. From this we obtain the forgiveness of
sins, reconciliation with God, our adoption as children,
and the inheritance of eternal life. FC SD III, 25

2019 Convention Workbook