JUSTIFIED BY FAITH

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1) How can a person stand before the Lord in an acceptable condition, cleansed from all sins, and pure in the eyes of God? Is it possible to come before the Lord with a true heart, and yet be dominated by a strong confidence and boldness? Indeed it is! Justification deals with these realities. To be justified means God pronounces us righteous, or holy, in his eyes. It is to be viewed by the Almighty God as innocent and free from sin. Of old time, Job asked, "But how can a man be righteous before God?" (Job 9:2). David knew that no one could stand before God if He saw their sin. He wrote, "If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?" (Psa 130:3). The man after God's own heart knew that no living man is righteous by nature, of through his own efforts. Therefore he said, "Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no one living is righteous" (Psa 143:2). In confirmation of this circumstance, Scripture declares God's own observation: "There is none righteous, no, not one" (Rom 3:10; Psa 14:1-4; 53:1-3). Is justification, or complete exoneration, possible? Are we to forever be consumed with guilt, and settle for moral and spiritual contamination? Indeed not! Our text speaks of a present state of righteousness: "BEING justified." It affirms the appointed means of that condition: "Being justified BY FAITH." Our presenting standing before God is also pronounced: "We HAVE peace with God." The means of that peace is also affirmed. "We have peace with God THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST." Over the centuries, theologians have haggled about this truth, but it has been revealed to be believed! Our status before God is owing to our belief of the Gospel! Like Abraham of old, our righteous standing is the result of believing Divine testimony. How clearly this is declared in Romans 4:20-25. "He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore 'it was accounted to him for righteousness.' Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification." God has provided us a record of His Son Who He is, what He has accomplished, and where He is. If we will believe that record, embracing it with our whole heart, God will give His own righteousness to us, fully absolving us of the guilt of sin. He is able to do this justly because of the atonement accomplished by Christ Jesus. Jesus to "put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself" (Heb 9:26). Those who choose to believe this, casting the weight of their souls upon Christ, "will not be disappointed" (Rom 10:11). Being justified, from this perspective, is having the very righteousness of God imputed, or credited, to us. This is the declaration of Romans 3:21-22. "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe." That is a precise declaration, and you do well to believe it whole heartedly. As important and indispensable as your works are, they are not the foundation upon which your justification, or state of righteousness, rests. The truth of the matter is that Jesus Christ is the only one "who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners" (Heb 7:26). No amount of arduous activity will put you into that class but faith will! That faith sees the Son of God has the preeminent Object of faith. It perceived Him as taking the responsibility for our transgressions in His death, bearing them away from the sight of God. Then, having risen from the dead He ascended into heaven to rule in the behalf of all Who "receive Him" (John 1:12-13). The heart believes and embraces these things, to the glory of God. On the basis of that faith in Christ, God views the individual as spotless in the Son, and an heir together with Him or all things (Gal 3:29; Heb 1:2; Rev 21:7). PRAYER POINT: Father, of myself, I am an altogether unclean thing. But in Christ Jesus, I am at peace with You, and have been justified from all things. Deliver me from views that neutralize this glorious reality, in Jesus' name!