JUSTIFICATION #6 THE ULTIMATE BLESSING A key to understanding

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1-2) What is the ultimate blessing in this world? For some, it is experiencing bodily healing. For others, it is seeing a miracle. Some are so deceived that they see financial security as the greatest benefit. While we are "in the body," there is no greater blessing than full acceptance by God! "Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile" (Psa 32:2). "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin" (Rom 4:4-8). I am concerned that so few professed believers have confidence in this realm. Legion is the name of those that remain under the cloud of guilt. They do not see themselves as those to whom the Lord "will not impute sin." Such conditions do not need to exist. Justification is real! Those that do not perceive this will not, as a consequence, invest much of themselves in the apprehension of eternal life (1 Tim 6:12,19). The man to whom the Lord will NOT impute sin is the man that is forgiven. It is the person that has been justified; the one that has "believed the testimony" God had given "of His Son" (1 John 5:10-12). This is the one that has believed and obeyed the Gospel. Such have confidence in God, not in self. They not only know what they have not achieved, they are fully persuaded of what Christ has achieved.

RIGHTEOUSNESS AND SALVATION EQUATED

Scripture equates righteousness and salvation. This is not commonly known among believers. The two are generally conceived as separate, though related. The experience of salvation and the conferment of righteousness are two sides of the same coin. Salvation speaks of our deliverance from the guilt and power of sin, while righteousness speaks of the appropriation of the divine nature. One cannot occur without the other! Hear, now, the word of the Lord. "I bring near my righteousness: it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory" (Isa 46:13). "My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust" (Isa 51:5). "In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Jer 23:6). The Word of God, then, is quite clear on this matter. Righteousness and salvation spring from the same well. Etymologically, salvation means deliverance. However, Scriptural salvation involves more than deliverance. It also includes appropriation. The Spirit expresses this in Colossians 1:13; "For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son" (Col 1:13, NASV). Coming into the "kingdom" of God's "dear Son" is another way of viewing "righteousness." It is the reason for which we are delivered.

NO CONTRADICTION

Those that have been justified cannot be successfully accused by anyone, anywhere! The prophet hurls the challenge in the face of the enemy; "He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me" (Isa 50:8). Paul picks up the refrain in Romans 8:33. "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth!" Duly considered, this truth liberates the believer from a condemning heart.

-- TOMORROW: CHRIST BORE OUR INIQUITIES --