Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

I was taught to focus on the issue of justification over salvation. The reasoning was simple. Justification is a single issue. It involves only one thing and is therefore more easily understood. Salvation is a continuing process. It has to be revisited continually within our experience because we sin from time to time. Sin and salvation are tied together, justification is not.

The easy way of trying to understand justification is most often referred to as “just as if” you never did it. It is usually identified as sin but we continue to sin, so therefore we confuse ourselves on the issues of justification being “just as if you never did” because we know we will sin again.

In order to understand properly the issues of justification and salvation as they pertain to us in our Christian walk, then we need to start with the single issue, once and done, justification.

Justification is a legal term. We are most familiar with it in our justice system as it is rendered in the form of “justifiable homicide”. The defendant did the homicide but the circumstances were justified. Punishment is diverted, the defendant is granted an acquittal. In the court of heaven, God must deal with the issues of sin. His justice must be satisfied, for He is a just God.

When Jesus Christ offered up His life for the sins of all mankind, He took those sins to the court of heaven and declared, “I have been executed for these crimes. The sentence of death has been carried out.” God accepted His Son’s execution as justice against the offense of sin, all sin, and declared “case closed, the sentence of death against sin has been carried out. I am satisfied.”

God no longer has a problem with sin. God has dealt with sin. We are the ones who have a problem with sin, hence our need for salvation. But justice has been serve. Sin can no longer be brought before the court of heaven.

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

If you place your faith in Christ you have justified sin, that case is closed.

Romans 14:4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? Before his own master he stands [approved] or falls [out of favor]. And he [who serves the Master—the Lord] will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. AMP

Let me make this as clear as possible from the start, I am not talking about the doctrines of pastors and teachers. This is only about personal doctrine of individuals with whom you are in fellowship with or are developing relationships. A whole different set of standards exist for pastors and teachers.

There will be times when error is noted with group settings, large and small. As we begin to develop relationship there is going to be gaps in experience and varied doctrinal histories. More often than not we find the lingering effects of culture, parental influence and diverse teachings. It is best we look at these diversities as universal. They see the same in you, diversity. How we handle these diversities determines if the bonds of fellowship are strengthened or weakened.

Ephesians 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

If we take unity into first account, that the relationships must be formed and bonds developed first. Then as we continue in fellowship, the diversities can be approached later with the calm appeal to a friend. It may be that over time, as we get to know one another more intimately, that those diversities we first noted are not as important as seen at first.

Which leaves us with the issue of handling true error. Do you serve the Lord, is He your Master? Then your response should be to act in accordance with the Lord’s instructions. If you take issue with what one person says in a group setting, do not confront them in the group setting.

Matthew 18:15b tell him his fault between thee and him alone:

While Matthew 18:15 is about an affront, the same principle applies. Open confrontation within a group setting breeds distrust and discord. We should not be that person.

Proverbs 6:14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.