Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God....and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ...For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Romans 5:9, 3:24, and 3:28
As I continue my preparation to lead worship at the Gardens and The Lodge on Sunday 30MAR (pausing on my study of the last four books of the OT using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume), I march forward in my use of DesiringGod.com's 40-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #10: To Provide the Basis for Our Justification. The devotion explores how Christ's death vindicates us as not being guilty of our sin - we are justified in God eyes and this of course makes eligible to escape the punishment for our crime of sin. We still are broken and sinful but in God's eyes we are justified and He declares us to be just or not guilty of our sin. We are referred to Romans 4:5 where is says that God "justifies the ungodly who trust in his grace. Romans 3:26 and 5:9 describe how God is the justifier of one who has faith in Jesus, and how the shedding of Christ's blood canceled the guilt of our crime of sin. The devotion wraps by sharing how the cancellation of our sins is "essential to justification." For more on the doctrine of justification - check out this video series from RC Sproul.
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that has declared my sins to be cancelled - thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of how You died on the cross for me and continue to intercede on my behalf. Please once again this morning forgive me for sins of commission and omission that I've done - I know I have sin in my life. Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from this sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
