Do you understand what “justification” means? I understand what it means when you are
typing a paper or letter – the right margin is even – like I typed this post
here. But as far as God goes – as far as
our being justified – do you understand the concept? I’m not sure I do.
I was thinking about this and decided to look into it – the dictionary
says that “justification” means “to show or prove to be valid – to declare free
of blame – absolved. To free a person of
the penalty attached to a grievous sin – used only of God.” Webster’s II New
College Dictionary.
My Bible dictionary had a great definition (I thought):
“. . . . . for one to meet the state of justification meant not to be
perfect but to have received mercy from
the Lord after having submitted to His will.
This same idea pervades the New Testament. For one to be just in God’s sight is not
living to perfection (which no man can do), but receiving mercy and forgiveness
of sins by having faith in Christ. This
faith, however, is not merely mental acceptance that there is a God but the complete submission, reliance and commitment
to the will of God.”
God is NOT just when He
justifies – right?!? I don’t know about
you, but I deserve eternal damnation. I
just can’t seem to get it right, and by “it” I mean this living righteous,
sin-free, doing ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING PERFECT stuff. Daily, I am being convicted by the Holy Spirit
and when I own up (confess), by mercy and grace, God “makes even” or frees me (us)
from the penalty we deserve. By
forgiving us, He ABSOLVES our sin – or erases it. Gone forever.
There are some great verses in Galatians 3:
“a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus
Christ. So we, too, have put our faith
in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not be
observing the law, because by observing the law, no one will be justified.”
WHEW !!!
That’s a load off!
It goes on to say:
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ
lives in me. The life I live in the
body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up for
me. I do not set aside the grace of God
for if righteousness could be gained through the law, CHRIST DIED FOR NOTHING.”
This just-ification stuff is hard to comprehend (for me) because there
is no “just” in justification. There is
nothing I can do for it and I certainly don’t deserve it.
It’s a gift.
I can live by faith, however, and NOT “set
aside the grace” God has given me.
As defined in the Bible dictionary, complete submission, reliance and commitment, come to mind.
Lord Jesus, live in us as we rely, submit and commit ourselves to You.
And all God’s people
said: AMEN!
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