Justification Through Faith

It is believed that in the early Christian community, there was a debate regarding the mode of attainment of redemption as the church began to grow with a larger Gentile population than the Jewish lot. Was it through the justification obtained by practicing the Law or through the justification by faith in Jesus? This is one of the most fundamental themes addressed by St. Paul in his Letter to the Romans.

Paul, in his letter to the Romans (Rom 3:21-22), emphasizes that the righteousness of God is revealed through faith in Jesus apart from the Law. Everyone who has faith in Jesus will be justified by Him, who has fulfilled the Law. This justification is freely accessible through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. Furthermore, in his letter to the Romans (Rom 10:6-8), he contrasts the righteousness based on the Law with the righteousness based on faith. He asserts that the latter is accessible and near to all who believe and confess Jesus as Lord.

According to Paul (Rom 3:23), we all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. This universal need underscores the necessity of redemption through Jesus Christ. He echoes this by affirming that there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile, and that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Rom 10:12-13). St. Paul speaks of being justified freely by God's grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, demonstrating His righteousness and providing a means for justifying those who have faith in Jesus. The process of salvation through faith occurs through believing in the heart and confessing with the mouth that Jesus is Lord (Rom 10/9). This results in justification and salvation. Thus, righteousness is readily available to all who believe and confess Jesus as Lord.

We are reminded of the proclamation of faith made by by St. Thomas after the resurrection of Jesus. On the eighth day after His resurrection, when Jesus appeared before His disciples and invited Thomas to see His wounds and put his finger into His side, Thomas was humbled and made his act of faith. He fell at the feet of Jesus and said, “My Lord and my God!” He confessed Jesus as Lord with his mouth and accepted His resurrection in his heart. This is the Christian Kerygma.

It is further observed from letter of Paul to Timoty that the sacred Scriptures are the means to instruct the individuals for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. (2 Tim 3/ 15). As St Paul points out - all scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is good for teaching, for reproof for correction and for training in righteousness (2Tim 3/16). This will equip everyone who belong to God to do good deeds and grow in perfection. 

Conclusion

Paul's teachings in his letter to Romans underscore the foundational Christian doctrine that redemption and righteousness are granted by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This redemption is universally available, transcending ethnic and religious boundaries, and is grounded in the sacrificial atonement made by Jesus. Believers are justified and saved not by adherence to the Law but through heartfelt faith and confession of Jesus as Lord. The Sacred Scriptures play a vital role in instructing  the individuals for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.