Part 3: You Were Justified -- What Every Christian Should Know1 Corinthians 6:11d
...you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Thoughts for Today:[Today we conclude our 3 part series in which we have taken a closer look at some very important Christian concepts. The third: "You were justified."]
Justification means that as believers, our sins are already forgiven -- past, present, and future (inclusive of those we have yet to commit). Roman 8:33: "Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies." Romans 4:5: "However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness."
It is through Jesus' death and resurrection that all believers are provided justification before God. His righteousness becomes ours, and his death becomes an offering to God (in our place), as payment for our sin. Therefore, justification is a gift from God -- only obtained by faith in Jesus -- not by any good works on our part. Romans 4:24-25: "But also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness--for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."
Jesus paid the price to change our condition. He took on God's wrath. Only through the ransom that Jesus offered could God forgive mankind for our rebelliousness and allow our reconciliation to Him.
Questions to Ponder:We can only be justified by the blood of Jesus. Have you added something else into the equation? Is the sacrifice of Jesus lacking in some way? Do you feel as if you still need to work your way into the reward of eternal life? Do you need to be punished for past sin? Romans 5:9: "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."