Justification
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Justification
Romans 3:24
24) Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: "
Being Justified Freely
Being justified freely means we do not earn justification; it is not a reward for right living. Freely means freely given, without price or merit on our part. People are justified from all things not because they deserve it but because God has remove all sin from them. Freely means free to the recipients of this grace for their debt was borne by Another. The price of our freedom, which is blood, has been paid by Another.
Romans 4:5
5) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Notice we have One that justifies the ungodly. It is not the godly who are justified but the ungodly. The godly do not need justification, but those who are dead in their trespasses and sins, yes, they desperately need justification. And the Scripture brings the cool water of redemption to the thirsty soul by saying it is by believing, not working, that makes a man right with God. Do you want to impress God, then believe what He says. Do you want to work then Christ cannot help you. Would you feel better if you could do something, then do this, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved from your sins.
Believeth on Him
Romans 4:5
5) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him.....
Notice that we do not believe on a Church, a ritual, a Sacrament, a Pries, an Apostle, a Prophet, or any human being, but the Scripture is very clear that it is by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ that we are saved from our sins. There are many Churches and some claim that Salvation can be found only in them. But this Scripture says that Salvation is by believing in Christ. We must listen to the Scriptures, and not add to them, for in the Scriptures we find a sure Word of Salvation.
Justifies the Ungodly
Romans 4:5
5) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Only Christ is able to justify the ungodly. The work of Salvation is a work of the Gospel and is accomplished by Christ alone through His atoning sacrifice and then His resurrection. Christ takes the sins of the ungodly on Himself, and in return, gives to the ungodly His righteousness. He clothes the ungodly, not with good works, but with Himself. He becomes our righteousness. This is how we are justified. God, through the work of Christ sees those who believe on Christ as perfectly righteous for they are clothed with the One who is perfectly righteous.
His Faith is Counted For Righteousness
Romans 4:5
5) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
What does it mean "his faith is counted for righteousness"? This does not mean that faith is our justifier for faith did not die for us, it did not bleed for us, and it did not rise from the dead for us. Faith cannot replace Christ and it is Jesus, not faith, who is our justifier. But faith is the means by which we receive and act on what the Lord has said. Christ is our righteousness and it is by faith, rather than external works, that we accept Him. We cannot come to God except by faith. Faith means that we believe Him, and if we believe Him, then He promises to save us from our sins. It is our faith that receives Jesus as our perfect righteousness and therefore our faith is counted for righteousness.
Every Christian is justified by our Justifier. Our Justifier is Jesus Christ, the Son of God who became sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him, 2Cor. 5:17. He gracefully removes all our sin, all our guilt, He removes all His wrath, and He removes everything and anything that condemns. He does this because we have been joined to Christ and are now clothed with the Person of Jesus Christ. We are made perfectly right with God and justification is the word that describes what Christ has done for us.
The heart of faith is to believe what God says and then act on it. If He says the atoning work of Christ completely removes our sins then we believe Him and we act on what He says. We must remember that all sins, for eternity, have been forgiven and we stand before God not guilty, for eternity! We have peace with God for we have our new identity in Christ. We do not stand before God apart from the Person of Jesus Christ, apart from His redemptive work, or apart from His perfect righteousness.
The Scripture says that all who call on the Lord will be saved, Romans 10:13. The Lord is faithful and He will not turn from the person who calls upon Him recognizing they are in a lost and hopeless condition.
He Who Glories, Let Him Glory in the Lord!
1Co 1:30-31 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31) That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Jesus is the One who makes us right with God. Remember, we have been MADE right with God. Rejoice that you have a Savior who is able and willing to make you right with God.
God bless you,
Jim