Submitted by Sam Nobles
Part 1 – Clement of Rome
Clement
of Rome was a first century convert who had that wonderful privilege of being
personally educated about Christ by the apostle Paul. Clement is mentioned by
name in Philippians 4:3. Although there is no way to be absolutely sure, there
is very good chance that this is the same Clement that became one of our first
Apostolic Church Fathers.
After
Paul was martyred at Rome, Clement become a leader of the church there.
According to tradition, Clement was martyred in 100 A.D. by being cast into the
sea tied to an anchor. Not much detail is known about Clement of Rome, but some
of his writings provide valuable insight into the solid teaching found in the
early church. Clement’s letter to the church at Corinth may be the earliest
document we have outside of the New Testament.
Yes,
another letter had to be written to the church at Corinth. Do you remember how
Paul had to write letters to the Corinthians dealing with issues that was
tearing the church to pieces? Well, their problems continued, and Clement sent
a letter to the Corinthian Church as well. His letter proclaimed the doctrine
that he had received from the apostles himself.
“…And
we, too, being called by His will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by
ourselves, nor by our own wisdom, or understanding, or godliness, or works
which we have wrought in holiness of heart; but by that faith through which,
from the beginning, Almighty God has justified all men; to whom be glory for
ever and ever. Amen.” (Clement’s Epistle to the Corinthians, c. 32)
Justification
is a legal term which means, “to be declared righteous or in right standing”.
Biblically, justification is the process by which sinful human beings are made
acceptable to a holy God.
Being
justified does not change us, but it does change our standing before God. If a
person is charged with a crime (that which breaks the law) then that person
must stand trial. Even though that person may be guilty, if the judge declares
them not guilty, then that person is free to go—that person is justified. When
I am justified, it is “just – if – I’d” never done it in the first place.
Therefore,
the believer’s justification, the fact that I am in right standing with God, is
not based upon what I can do or what I have done. The only thing that can put a
person in right standing with God, to be justified from his or her sin, is
faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. The blood of Jesus doesn’t just
cover my sin, it washes it away, and makes it “just – if – I’d” never committed
them in the eyes of God.
When
it comes to the believer and sin, God remembers our sins and lawless deeds no
more (Hebrews 10:16-17). He has sealed them up in a bag (Job 14:17) and cast
them away from us as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). To make
it even better for us, God has cast all of our sins into the depths of the sea
(Micah 7:18–19) and posted a “No Fishing” sign (okay, there’s no Scripture for
that one).
Scripture to Claim:
“For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the
law.” (Romans 3:28)