Justified
Romans 3:19-26
(19) Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made know, to which the Law and Prophets testify. This righteousness from God through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood. He did this to demonstrate His justice, because in His forbearance He had left the sins committed before hand unpunished- He did it to demonstrate His justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
What’s the word justified mean to you? Have you ever stopped, and thought about what this word means to us as Christians? Did you know that the only way you could be saved was to be justified?
So what does justified mean? Justified means to be declared NOT GUILTY, or as I like to say, justified means ( just as if I did not do it ). The question now becomes what am I justified from?
Well that’s a great question and I am glad you asked. We are justified from our sins against God.
What? You mean we have sinned against God? That’s right everyone has sinned and come short of the glory of God. But I have always tried to do the best I can. Now you’re going to tell me that my best is not good enough for God?
That’s exactly right now your getting it. The bible teaches us that our very best is but filthy rags to God, when compared to his righteousness. Do you remember that in the book of Exodus chapter 20 God gave us his holy law (The TEN Commandments.)?
God gave us the Law to prove to us that we are sinners in need of a savior. You see if you have ever-broke even one of the Ten Commandments, then you are a sinner. If you ever lied, stole, dishonored your parents, or any of the others, then this includes you!
Do you see how wonderful the Law works? The Law shows us without a doubt that we need to be justified.
We need to be declared Not Guilty! Now the question has to arise why do I need to be justified?
Now that’s a great question, and I am so glad you asked.
You and I need to be justified from our sins because God has no part with sin. The bible teaches us that the wages of sin is death. You see if you have ever sinned even once in your entire life then the bible says your going to die.
Well isn’t everyone going to die? Yes they are. But you see people who have not been justified are going to die twice. The first time is a bodily death, and the second is a spiritual death. The first death your body is placed in the ground and turns back into dust. The second death your spirit is cast into Hades or better known as (hell). Separated from God forever and ever.
This does not sound like fun does it?
So how do I become justified before God?
That’s a great question, and I am so glad you asked.
You see there is only one way to be justified, and that is to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
So how do I do that? You ask really good questions.
You have to realize that You are a sinner. Look over the Ten Commandments; see which ones you have broken. These commandments show you that you are a sinner.
Understand that God ‘s punishment for sin is death.
Therefore the sins you have committed have to be taken away. The only way that your sins can be taken away is to Place your faith in what Jesus did on the Cross. What did Jesus do on the cross? I knew you were going to ask that.
Jesus died on the cross for the sins of anyone who would believe in him. Jesus paid the price for our sins. We deserve to die because we have sinned, but Jesus chose to die in our place so we could go to Heaven and live with God forever and ever.
The bible teaches us that if we will confess our sins to God, that God will forgive us. You see we are justified because we repent of our sins, and place our faith in what Jesus did for us on the cross. When you do this God removes all your sins, and remembers them no more. You become a child of God.
Are you justified today? Would you like to be?
This is a simple sinners prayer.
Father in heaven I know I have sinned against you, and I ask that you forgive me Lord. Lord I know now that your son Jesus died on the cross, and paid my sin dept. I place my faith in his work alone to justify me.
I ask you to come live inside me, and be my Lord and Savior, in Jesus name I pray amen.
If you have prayed this prayer I would love to hear from you. May God richly bless your soul.
Brother Greg
