How does justification apply to specific sinners like idolaters, drunkards, and adulterers?
Justification is God's judicial act whereby He declares a sinner just as if they had never sinned. The idolater is cleansed as though he never bowed to an idol, the drunkard as though he never drank, and the adulterer as though he never committed adultery. This is salvation by grace.
Les explains that Scripture lists fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, the effeminate, thieves, the covetous, drunkards, revilers, and extortioners as those who will not inherit the kingdom of God, and they are in Satan's hands unless saved. But the next verse says, "such were some of you," and now they are washed, sanctified, and justified. Les teaches that justification is that judicial act of God whereby He declares the sinner just as if they had never sinned. God cleanses the idolater as though he had never fallen before an idol, justifies the drunkard as though he never took a drink, and justifies the adulterer as though he never committed adultery. This is the beauty of salvation by grace. Les also notes this is not a Pauline concept only, since the Lord Jesus Himself uses the term in John's Gospel.
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
What is justification according to Les's teaching from Romans?
Justification is the judicial act of God whereby He declares the sinner just as if they had never sinned. God cleanses the idolater as though he had never fallen before an idol, the drunkard as though he never drank, and the adulterer as though he never committed adultery.
How does God justify an idolater, drunkard, or adulterer?
God justifies an idolater, drunkard, or adulterer by grace through His judicial act: He declares the sinner just as if they had never sinned. The idolater is cleansed as though he never fell before an idol, the drunkard as though he never drank, and the adulterer as though he never committed adultery. They are washed and sanctified.