Declared Righteous
By Greg Johnson
http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org
The apostle Paul ends Romans chapter two by talking about circumcism of the heart by the Spirit of God. When an individual places their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit comes and regenerates the individual into a new creature. Jesus referred to this as being “born again” in his discussion with the religionist Nicodemus in John chapter three. Regeneration is instantaneous.
The Holy Spirit resides with the individual as a supernatural helper in their journey from earth to glory. In doing so, the Holy Spirit continues to separate the individual from the world for God’s use and purposes. This is called sanctification. It begins at rebirth and progresses throughout one’s walk. Santification is the road to progressive holiness.
In Romans chapter three, we are introduced to justification. Justification is being declared righteous.
God’s Word says (Romans 3:20-26 NIV) "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. {21} But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. {22} This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, {23} for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, {24} and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. {25} 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 beforehand unpunished-- {26} 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."
GOD IS THE SOURCE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
The Word of God reveals to us that we are sinners. We have disobeyed God and His Word. We can not declare ourselves righteous. No one else is able to declare us righteous. Only God can declare us righteous.
It’s all by His grace. It’s all by His unmerited favor toward us. He loves us so much; He has gone out of His way to make it possible for us to spend eternity with Him. You see, only the righteous will spend eternity with God. The righteous are His inheritance. God can not coexist with sin. He can not be where sin is present. God has made a way to declare us righteous and still satisfy His just character so that we can be with Him for all eternity. It’s all because of His grace.
JESUS IS THE WAY.
God has provided for us to be declared righteous through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only way. Not through our good works. Not through our good deeds. One is declared righteous only through Jesus.
God sent Jesus to do something about our sin problem. At the cross, Jesus took our punishment for sin upon Himself. Justice for our sins was served at the cross. Jesus took our guilt upon Himself and He bore the punishment that we so deserve. Jesus bridged the gap between man and God that was created by sin.
FAITH IS THE MEANS.
God is The Source. Jesus is The Way. And Faith is the means. God’s word says (Romans 3:22 NIV) "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. (Romans 3:25-26 NIV) "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 beforehand unpunished-- {26} 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." (Emphasis added)
Faith is an activity of the heart. It’s more than just believing. The devil and every demon in hell believe in Jesus. It’s more than believing. It’s an activity of the heart in which one places total trust in Jesus and makes Him their Lord and their Savior. The devil and every demon in hell believe in Jesus, but they do not place their total trust in Him and make Him their Lord and Savior. Christians do. Christians keep their eyes fixed on Jesus. They follow Jesus because they have made Him their Lord and Savior.
GOD’S LAW COURT.
God justifies. God declares one righteous. God is The Source. Jesus is The Way. Faith is the means. It truly is justification by faith.
Justification is a term borrowed from the law court. Let me paint a picture for you of God’s eternal law court. God Himself is sitting behind the bench and residing as the judge. There is no jury. There is no witness chair, but there is a mercy seat.
Sitting at the prosecuting table is Satan. He is the prosecuting attorney in your case and He has a whole list of your offenses against God and against people. Every single offense on his list you have done. He continually, day and night, accuses you before God.
You are sitting at the defense table. Right there by your side is Jesus. Jesus is your defense attorney. You have placed all of your trust and all of your faith in Him. You know you are guilty of every offense the prosecutor has declared; your only hope is Jesus Christ.
God does not look to a witness chair or to a jury to make His decision. He looks to the mercy seat. On the mercy seat God sees the atoning blood of Jesus Christ that covers a multitude of sin. He glances to the mercy seat than He looks at you and declares you righteous. God is The Source. Jesus is The Way. Faith is the means.
Beloved, God loves you so much. Only He can declare you righteous. Jesus is the only Way. Continue to place all of your faith and trust in Him. Jesus has paid the price for your eternal existence with God. He is the redeemer that has bought you with His precious blood. Fix your eyes on Jesus. He is the author and the finisher of your faith!
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