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Are we Justified by Blood or Faith in Jesus Christ? | Harmonizing the Concepts

In this blog post, I will provide you with a detailed explanation of the biblical concept of justification by the blood of Jesus Christ and justification by faith in Jesus Christ, and how these seemingly contradictory statements in the Bible can be understood in harmony.

1. Justification by the Blood of Jesus Christ:

The idea of justification by the blood of Jesus Christ is deeply rooted in Christian theology and is primarily derived from passages in the New Testament. The blood of Jesus is seen as a symbol of His sacrificial death on the cross, which atones for the sins of humanity. Here are some key verses that highlight this aspect:

A. Romans 5:9: “Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.”

B. Hebrews 9:22: “Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.”

C. 1 John 1:7: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

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These verses emphasize that it is through the shedding of Jesus’ blood on the cross that humanity’s sins are forgiven, and we are justified before God. His sacrifice is seen as the necessary means of reconciling sinful humans with a holy God.

2. Justification by Faith in Jesus Christ:

The concept of justification by faith in Jesus Christ complements the idea of the blood atonement. It emphasizes that our faith in Jesus is what allows us to access the benefits of His sacrificial death. Here are some key verses that highlight this aspect:

A. Romans 3:22: “The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction.”

B. Galatians 2:16: “Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

C. Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works so that no one may boast.”

These verses underscore that faith is the means by which we appropriate the benefits of Christ’s sacrifice. It’s not our own efforts or good deeds but our trust and reliance on Jesus that lead to justification.

Harmonizing the Concepts of Justification by Blood and Faith in Jesus Christ:

The apparent tension between these two concepts can be resolved by understanding them as complementary rather than contradictory. The blood of Jesus Christ provides the basis for justification; it is the means by which our sins are forgiven. Faith in Jesus Christ is how we personally receive and apply that justification to our lives.

In other words, the blood of Jesus Christ accomplishes the objective aspect of salvation, while faith in Jesus Christ is the subjective response that connects us individually to that salvation. It’s as if the blood of Christ opens the door to reconciliation, and faith is the act of walking through that door.

In conclusion, the Bible teaches that we are justified by the blood of Jesus Christ because His sacrifice is the foundation of our forgiveness. Simultaneously, we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ because our trust in Him is how we appropriate the benefits of that sacrifice in our lives. These concepts work together to form a comprehensive understanding of justification in Christian theology.

ADDITIONAL READING

The Condition for Justification According to the Bible: A Deeper Dive

The Benefits of Justification by Faith in Jesus Christ

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