Biblical Answer

The doctrine of justification by faith alone has a significant impact on our understanding of the sacraments. In the traditional Roman Catholic understanding, justification is seen as a change that occurs within the individual, brought about by the sacraments and a moral preparation. This understanding emphasizes the role of the sacraments as means of grace that produce their effects independently of the merits and disposition of the recipient. However, this view is distinct from the Protestant understanding of justification by faith alone, which sees justification as a declaration of pardon from guilt, based on the righteousness of Christ imputed to the believer through faith.

In contrast, the Protestant understanding of justification by faith alone emphasizes the role of faith as the instrument through which justification is given to us. Faith is seen as a response to the merits of Christ's work, and it gives credence and credit to the record of what God has done in history in the person of His Son Jesus Christ. This understanding of justification is closely tied to the concept of union with Christ, where believers are seen as one with Christ, living according to the Spirit rather than the flesh. The sacraments, in this view, are seen as symbolic and commemorative, rather than as acts that merit some infusion of saving grace from God.

The practical implications of the doctrine of justification by faith alone are significant, as it enables us to offer genuine hope to unbelievers who know their felt need of being put upon just and righteous terms with God. This understanding of justification also emphasizes the importance of personal faith and the need for individual Bible reading and prayer. The Lutheran and Reformed creeds teach that justifying faith is working faith, and that we are not to imagine any such justifying faith as can exist independently of the object of faith, which is the righteousness of Christ. Faith, as a response to the merits of Christ's work, is seen as the means by which believers are justified and brought into union with Christ.