Justified By Faith

-August 2, 2023-

Good morning, happy Wednesday,

“Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24).

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law” (Romans 3:28).

The doctrine of justification is a most blessed one. To be justified means “to be declared righteous.” Some have rightly said it is as if we had never sinned. How could a righteous, holy, and just God pardon guilty sinners and make us fit for heaven? It was through the substitutionary death of Christ on the cross for us. He endured the wrath and judgment of God against sin, shed His precious blood, and rose again.

Paul built his case in the book of Romans. He like Abraham, who lived before the law was given, came to this same truth, the same conclusion. Genesis 15:4 says. “And he believed in the Lord, and it was counted for righteousness.” Each sinner must come to Christ and be saved. Through confession and repentance, we come to Christ, believe on His finished work on the cross, and receive Him as Lord and Savior. We are declared righteous by God. Hallelujah!

The devil, though a defeated foe, continues to fight against salvation by grace through faith in Christ. He will do anything and everything to keep a person from coming to Christ and being justified. He supports good works, philanthropic efforts, moral values, and even religious pursuits. All these and other things serve to anesthetize people to the gospel and keep them from seeing their need of Jesus.

Martin Luther also came to the right conclusion and stood up to the Roman Catholic Church. He was a German monk who nailed his 95 theses to the door of the church in 1517 leading to the Protestant Reformation. He believed in the Scriptures and the teaching that salvation is by grace through faith not by the works of the law, religion, or good works. Talk about standing up for Christ and one’s convictions!

Paul continued in Romans 4:25-5:1 speaking of Christ, “who was delivered up because of our offenses, was raised because of our justification. Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Being justified leads to a holy and godly life now and for all eternity. We who were guilty and are now pardoned; we who were sinners are now forgiven; we who were lost are now found; we who were in darkness are now in light; and we who were condemned are now justified.

Have a blessed day thanking the Lord for our justification. Let us We walk by faith, live for Jesus, and serve Him. Stay safe and healthy.

Justified freely, fully, and forever in Jesus Christ our Lord,

Dean