235 - THE HARDEST THING FOR A MAN TO BELIEVEMarch 25, 1956
Henry F. Kulp
Romans 4: 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
It is strange that man should find it difficult not to believe everything in this day and age because science in this past century has conquered so many phases of our lives. If someone living at the time of the founding of our nation had predicted television as we know it today, it would have been very hard to believe, but no one questions its reality. As a matter of fact, modern man seems to be willing to believe anything a scientist predicts.
1/ Just take these little books that are out on science—they sell like hot-cakes, every magazine counter has them, for the simple reason man wants to believe the fanastic. Very few people doubt that we are going to fly to the moon, very few people doubt the fact of flying saucers, they want to believe that which is fanastic and hard to believe.
2/ However, in the realm of the spiritual, there is one truth above all others which man finds exceedingly difficult to believe. Out of years of experience in dealing with men and woman in conjunction with the things of God, I can make this statement, and I am sure those who have witnessed for the Lord Jesus Christ will concur with it.
3/ Many people find it hard to believe in the reality of Heaven and the eternity of hell. Others stumble over the Virgin Birth of our Lord, and still others have trouble with the Deity of His Person. Then, we have those who can never believe in the verbal inspiration of the Scriptures, and those who mock the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. But, the one that is hardest to believe for natural man, and that more people rebel against it than against the reality of Heaven, hell, the Virgin Birth, the deity of Jesus Christ, or the verbal inspiration. The one that is most difficult to believe, that man is justified before God by faith, and by faith alone.
4/ I Corinthians 2: 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Truly, this verse is seen on this point, that the natural man does not receive the things of God for they are foolishness unto him. Nothing appears more foolish to the unregenerate mind than this doctrine. Man is just saturated with the idea that he must merit divine righteousness, and is certain the idea of simple faith is too fanastic for him.
5/ I wish to deal with this doctrine by unfolding the climatic statement by the Apostle Paul in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia.
Acts 13: 16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
There we read that Paul stood up and beckoned with his hand and said, “Men of Israel, and ye who fear God give audience.” And then he gives an account of God’s dealing with the nation and the story of Christ’s death and resurrection. And then Paul makes a startling statement in Acts 13: 38, 39 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. And nothing but a miracle of God could open man’s blinded eyes to see this glorious truth.
6/ As I preach on this amazing doctrine, I think it is impossible to overstate or over estimate its importance. The entire epistle to the saints at Rome is devoted to the exposition of this truth, and believe me that no one can preach too often, or too many messages from this inspired book. As a matter of fact, Martin Luther rescued this doctrine from the depths of the dark ages. He was afraid that after his death this truth would be lost.
7/ And judging by the popular sermons which are printed in newspapers and preached over the radio and TV, his fear was well-founded. How many call themselves fundamental and miss this doctrine completely and abuse it to no little extent?
8/ The preaching of this theme by Paul aroused violent opposition on the part of the Jews.
9/ THE UNGODLY FUROR
We read that the next Sabbath day almost the whole city came to hear the Word of God, but when the Jews saw the multitudes they were filled with envy and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul—contradicting and blaspheming, and the Jews stirred up the devout and honorable women and the chief men of the city to raise persecution against Barnabas and Paul and expel them out of their coasts.
Acts 13: 44, 45 - 50 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.
And therefore we read, having declared the doctrine with faithfulness they shook the dust off their feet against them and came to Iconium
Verse 51, 52 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
From Paul’s day to this very hour the teaching of justification by faith and faith alone has been the subject of bitter attack. From the time that Cain in his self-will brought to God his basket of fruits and vegetables to today men have hated and taught against this doctrine and have sought to overthrow it.
One reason for the modern hostility to this doctrine is because it undermines as no other doctrine the isms that are in the world at this hour.
Justification by faith, and faith alone puts an end to all forms and ceremonies, and puts aside all attempts on the part of man to court the favor of God by personal merit.
Galatians 2: 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Here it clearly says, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ, for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Now, what does justification mean? It means more than being pardoned, or forgiven. When a man is justified he is vastly more than a forgiven criminal. Justification is an act which originates in the heart of God and removes guilt and its liability from the sinner and makes him blameless. This helps us to understand Colossians 2: 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
That we are perfect in Him. For we have absolute justification. It is not a matter that God has just cleared us from all sin, but He has made us perfect.
It is impossible for a man to have peace in his heart unless he knows that he is justified. Not just pardoned, but justified.
Last year as I was visiting the zoo with my children, my family, I would stand fascinated as I’d see the wild beasts pacing round and round in its cage, hour after hour with an unsatisfied and with a despairing look. To me this is an illustration of man seeking peace and rest for his soul, which nothing but God through His justification can fill and satisfy.
The Scriptures reveal seven ways by which an individual may be justified, and if we have these truths we shall find a glorious fact for our Christian experience whereby we can have peace.
10/ JUSTIFIED BY GOD
The Word itself is very clear at this point, and leaves no one in doubt as to the source of justification.
Romans 8: 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
It is God that justifieth. So that means that works cannot be in it if God does the justifying. Its not that man justified himself, but that God justifies him. So God is the source of justification.
Luke 16: 14, 15 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Here we read the Pharisees who were covetous heard all these things and they derided him. They literally turned their noses up at him. And he said unto them “Ye are they which justify yourselves before man, but God knoweth your heart.”
As long as man persists in seeking to justify himself he is shutting the door against the fact that God can justify him. It is hard for a man to learn that in himself he is not capable of doing one satisfactory thing in the eyes of God.
As far as I am concerned, I would far rather have God do something for me than to do it for myself. My own efforts would be imperfect, but whatever God does it would have to be perfection. How the proud, selfish human nature rebels against such a doctrine but nevertheless it is true and it strips man of any personal credit or merit.
11/ JUSTIFIED BY GRACE
Unless justification springs from the Grace of God what chance does the sinner have? Now there is a point that we must recognize. God justifies only those who stand in need of it. We do not read of angels being justified. Nor do we read of the righteous being justified. But only as Romans 4: 5 says, the ungodly are justified. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Now notice Romans 3: 24 Being justified freely by His (God’s) grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Titus 3: 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
That being justified, declared righteous by His grace. Grace is our only hope—all the plans of man for salvation fade away and show their futility alongside the grace of God.
12/ JUSTIFIED BY BLOOD
Romans 5: 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
This is the price that was paid in order to make possible this wonderful and glorious act of justification. If God were to remain holy and righteous, and He is, He could not merely pass by or overlook man’s sin. He could not just wink at it or forget it—He had to do something about it. And so man’s sin-debt was paid at Calvary.
There is a story of a young woman who called upon the Pastor of a church, who for the sake of the story we will call him Pastor Brown. She said, “How is it Pastor Brown, that you are always so happy.” He said, “You have made a wonderful mistake, for I am not always happy.” “Well, she replied, “You look so happy, how is it then that you say you are not always happy? Are you a sinner?” “Yes, indeed,” replied the preacher, “But, I do admit that I am happy in the knowledge that I have had my punishment.” She was very much surprised, and exclaimed, “Had your punishment, what do you mean?” This gave the preacher an excellent opportunity to explain the Gospel, so he said, “The punishment for my sin is paid.” “I can’t understand it,” said the perplexed woman. And the preacher said, “Yes, it happened some 1,900 years ago.” In her surprise and simplicity, not realizing just what she was saying, “But you are not that old, are you?” He answered, “No indeed, but it is perfectly true, nevertheless that some 1,900 years ago I had my punishment in the Person of my substitute, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
And every Christian can look upon the dead Christ in the tomb and exclaim, “There I lie, I am free because in the eyes of the law my substitute has died for me.”
13/ JUSTIFIED BY RESURRECTION
Romans 4: 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
The great truth of the resurrection is connected with the justification of the sinner. His resurrection is a marvelous revelation of the satisfaction of God’s justice in the finished work of Jesus Christ. His resurrection is like a receipted bill that shows that our sin-debt is paid.
No wonder it is said in I Corinthians 15: 14 - 17 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
If Christ be not raised, your faith is dead, and you are yet in your sins.
That is why in Romans 10: 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
It tells us, Believe in our hearts that God has raised Him from the dead, because it is all tied together in our justification.
14/ JUSTIFIED BY FAITH
Romans 5: 1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
There we read, we are justified by faith. All works are expressly forbidden.
In former superstitious days it was held as unlucky to give a person the present of a knife. In order to prevent it from being a gift a farthing (money) was handed to the giver. A farthing that it might not be of grace, that is, not a free gift. And so therefore, even though it would only be a fraction of what the knife was worth, it would still not be a gift. So, no matter what you would offer to God, no matter how small it might be it would no longer be by grace, it would no longer be by faith.
In the book of the prophet Isaiah, we have a very solemn woe pronounced upon those who justify the wicked. It is a very wrong thing for a judge to justify a wicked person and we have had many complaints in our great cities because public enemies, racketeers, hoodlums of all kinds have been arrested and when they have gone before corrupt judges they have been allowed to go free and prey once more upon the community. And people are right when they become indignant about it, but do you want to know something, THAT IS THE VERY THING GOD DOES — HE JUSTIFIES THE UNGODLY. The very thing we frown upon in an individual in this life. The trouble is, an individual in this life cannot justify a sinner, but God can.
I know it is hard to be justified by faith for the individual, it is the hardest thing in the world for him to believe.
I read the story of an old man who owned a narrow lot with a poor miserable cabin on it. Lots in his neighborhood had been selling for fabulous prices, and he thought that someday his place would make him a fortune. By and by, a millionaire came along and seeing the possibilities, he said, “I want the whole thing.” So he sent his agent to go in and buy up the whole block and when he came to the old man, he said, ”What would you sell your place for?” The old man named a price that was tremendous, and the agent said, “All right, we’ll take it.” “When do you want it?” The old man asked. “In about two weeks I’ll be around with the deed and you can be ready to sign it. Here is $1,000 to bind the sale,” replied the agent.
The old man was simply delighted, and he thought, well, if someone has brought this place, and he is able to pay all that money I ought to fix it up a bit, so he bought some paint and he went to work and painted the old shack. He bought some glass to replace the old panes. For about two weeks he worked as hard as he could on the cabin, and when the millionaire purchaser and his agent brought the papers for him to sign, he was so nervous, he could hardly hold the pen. He was surprised that the man who bought the place didn’t say anything about he shack. And so he said, “Do you see how beautifully I have painted it up and put in new windows, and I’ve planted some flowers about the shack—it is going to be a nice place, and I hope you’ll be very comfortable in it.” “Oh,” said the millionaire, “I didn’t buy this place for what’s in it, but rather what I’m going to put on it.”
And that is how God justifies the ungodly. It is not because of what He finds in man, but for what He is going to put in man, and what He is going to do for man. And so the thing that is hard for men to understand is this very point.
15/ JUSTIFICATION BY LIFE
Romans 5: 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
This passage uncovers a very remarkable phase of justification. Two realms are revealed. One is the realm of death and the other is the ream of life. The contrast is between condemnation and justification, and because we receive the Lord Jesus Christ we are now in the realm of resurrection and endless life and justification.
16/ JUSTIFICATION BY WORKS
James 2: 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Here He says we are justified by works—just the very opposite from what we have been studying from the Apostle Paul, and, of course, James is speaking about justification by works in front of men. Men cannot see your faith, but they can see your works and we who are justified by faith should show our works to a lost and dying world.
AMEN
Ref: 03/25/1956 / 235 - THE HARDEST THING FOR A MAN TO BELIEVE / 01/26/2021
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