“If we truly understood and applied the doctrine of 'justification by faith', what would that look like in our relationships within the Body? What is one of the primary evidences of a justified life?”

My professor paused to let us think. It wasn't hard. Love, I answered silently, and waited for him to confirm it.

“Refusal to speak evil against our brothers.” Oh, right. Wait-- what? “Applying the doctrine of justification to everyday life would mean the death of all gossip and unloving speech.” My puzzlement must have shown on my face.

Titus 3:1-2 flashed to mind-- Remind them to be… ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. Unfortunately, no instant epiphany accompanied the verse. I'd grant that our speech reveals our hearts-- but can you really call it a primary demonstration of our grasp on the gospel?

Yes, I think you can.

When you break it down, it clicks. "The gospel" is shorthand for the good news of justification-- being made holy before God. As a Christian, the righteousness of Christ is now yours. You stand blameless and irrevocably forgiven before God. The zinger: so is every other Christian you've come into contact with. Don't I deny the efficacy of the Christ's death, then, with every unloving word I speak against another Christian, whether it's to his face or behind his back?

The believers who test our patience stand no less fixedly in God's favor as canonized saints. Torrential grace overpowers all their daily sins. These people have been stamped "righteous" by the same God whose presence compels the seraphim to cry Holy, Holy, Holy day and night. Christ came-- Grace incarnate-- and spent His life for their eternal gain, to say "I remember your sins no more."

Knowing this, how can I possibly dare to resurrect those same sins for a rehash?

Against that simple gospel backdrop, dredging up a brother's past offense sounds sickening. I cannot claim to be in sync with the gospel and simultaneously air another believer's sins, even in the simplest passing comment. Honesty and accuracy have no bearing here. Unless I'm deliberately stirring my listener "to love and good deeds" through a humble, sober warning against the deceitfulness of sin, my words only feed self-righteousness and defame the grace of Christ.

You can hear the intensity of passion permeating Paul's words in Romans 8:33-34: "Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us." That's it. God has justified.

Judging and confrontation still have an important place. We aren't called to ignore the reality of each other's sin. We're simply called to forgive as our Heavenly Father forgives, and act like we're part of a holy Body. Because we are.