the point of justification

the point of justification is that the point at which justification occurs is not the cross but the resurrection. what happened on the cross is not the defeat of death. what happened on the cross is the description of death. on the other hand, what happened in the resurrection is the defeat of death. of course, this does not undermine the fact that Jesus died on the cross for our sins.

justification does not lie in the cross. in fact, that Jesus died on the cross for our sins is the greatest injustice in history.

"One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."" - Luke 23:39-41 (NIV)

rather, justification lies in the resurrection. the resurrection is not merely the demonstration of God's power, but more importantly the declaration of Jesus' righteousness. given that 'the wages of sin is death' (Romans 6:23, NIV), it is logically impossible for God - in His justice - to not execute capital punishment on Israel (for which Jesus is a penal substitute).

at the same time, given that 'the wages of sin is death' (Romans 6:23, NIV), it is also logically impossible for God - in His justice - to not raise Jesus, 'who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin' (Hebrews 4:15b, NIV), from the dead. to this end, God is 'just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus' (Romans 3:26, NIV).

"Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." - Acts 2:22-24 (NIV)

in other words, we are not justified because Jesus died on the cross for our sins. if anything, we are doubly condemned (once for sin in general and again for crucifying the Messiah in particular) because Jesus died on the cross for our sins. rather, we are justified because God raised Jesus from the dead, thereby declaring Jesus (and those who are in Him) righteous.

"The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness - for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification." - Romans 4:23-25 (NIV)

links: three kinds of justification (7 mar 09), more on the point of justification (21 apr 09)