Having Been Justified by Faith – Week 31- July 28th

Having Been Justified by Faith – Week 31- July 28th

by admin

 

 

                        “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace

                         with God through our Lord Jesus Crist, through whom

                         also we have access by faith into this grace in which we

                         stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not

                         only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that

                         tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance

                         character; and character hope. Now hope does not dis-

                         appoint, because the love of God has been poured out in

                         our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

              Romans 5:1-5

 

Definition:

The term justification means that all the legal and righteous claims that God has against you are fully met and settled and no longer count against you.

  1. The nature of God’s claims against us

That we:

  • Rebelled against Him thus questioning His love for us.
  • Transgressed (sinned against) His laws and thereby questioned the nature of His character.
  • Became His enemies and thereby revolted against His rule.
  • Willingly partnered with His antagonist Satan and thus questioned His power.

Consequently we were:

  • Given over to death and separated from God
  • Given over to the wrath of God
  • Given over to bondages of all types….and;
  • Given over to despair
  1. The nature of our deliverance

Is by faith. This implies that we trust someone other than ourselves to save us and it underscores the fact that we can do nothing to save ourselves. We were truly helpless and given over to what the Bible calls “dead works” (Hebrews 6:1). Our very best efforts at attempting to do good could not satisfy God’s righteous claims over us; we could not be justified by them! We were truly doomed and only a perfect Godman could save us. As John the Apostle discovered no such person could be found on earth. (Revelation 5:3-4)

Jesus, by His death, burial and resurrection satisfied every single claim that God ever had against you or will have against you. By His death He brought the blessing of being justified to our lives. This is what we mean by being free! It is by having faith in Jesus finished work on the cross that you can begin a new chapter in your life with very blessed eternal consequences! (Romans 5:6-11)

  1. The nature of our new life in Christ

We have:

  • Peace with God
  • Access to God’s real presence. Note that we “stand” in this glorious place.
  • Much joy. This joy is inspired by the expectation of a fully transformed life; body, soul and spirit! The very image of God in all its brilliance will be restored to our lives. This will happen when Jesus comes again (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
  • A firm foundation upon which to stand as life’s troubles assault us; all the while knowing that these troubles become redemptive.
  • A true hope because, by virtue of being in Christ, we have received and already enjoy a real deposit or down payment of our heavenly future. The Holy Spirit, the very agent of Jesus, makes this unique blessing real to us!

 

Malcolm Hedding

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