Monday, November 2, 2020

Justified

(Romans 3:23)
"For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God," these words are found in Romans 3:23, and no words have rung truer than these throughout the centuries. From the highest-ranking general to the lowest-ranking private, it doesn't matter, we are all the same in the eyes of God. The book of Genesis tells us that God created mankind in His own image; therefore, we now know that whether we are a senior head of state, a simple guy, just taking an evening stroll down a tree-lined path, a "social justice warrior," fighting for the rights of others, or a "mighty politician" who believes that he, and he alone, knows better than you and I what we should do, it just does not matter, the scourage of sin covers us all. 

When Paul the Apostle wrote "all," he was describing every single one of us, you and I, and all who have, or ever will walk this earth. With this truth, we must keep in mind that we are all equal in the eyes of God, created by Him, and for Him. In life, there are many ups and downs, high peaks, low valleys, a joy that fills the heart, and pain that breaks it. According to Webster’s Dictionary, the definition of the word All is the total sum of a thing, the whole amount, or total extent of, every member or individual of a group, etc. The word All is “all” encompassing, it includes everything and everyone, including each and every one of us; thereby assuring us that even though we have messed, fallen down, or blown up, we are no different from anyone else. So, just think about this, when the enemy tries to convince us that we are forever lost, depressed, or unworthy, remember that Jesus paid the price for you and I in His own blood, and in return, we have received the gift of Salvation, Hope, and Freedom: we have been Justified by Faith, and Redeemed by the Blood.

Romans 3:24-26 Being justified freely by His Grace through the Redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a Propitiation through Faith in His blood, to declare His Righteousness for the Remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time His Righteousness: that He might be just, and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus...

By the Blood of Jesus Christ, and our faith in Him, as the One True Living God, we have received the gift of redemption. But what is redemption? in layman's terms, we have had the chains torn asunder and are free from the bonds of sin, we have been redeemed. By the Grace and Mercy of our Lord, we are justified and made righteous, and because we have been made righteous by His Precious Blood, we can cling tightly to the Promises of God. Three hundred and sixty-five times, that is the number of times the term "fear-not" is found within the pages of the Bible. Ironic isnt it, which should assure us that although we may slip, and although we may fall, the Lord Jesus Christ is right there waiting to catch us, hold us, and secure us in His Mighty Hands, there is no reason to be afraid.

Psalm 37:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord : and he delighteth in his way.  Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand...

(Justified By The Blood)

Faith in God and the Power of the Blood of Jesus Christ: this is what justifies us, and assures us that we are the children of God. The Apostle Paul had an ailment in which he saught the Lord's touch on three seperate occasions, and what God said to Paul, still applies to us today, “My Grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” God alone is able to keep us from falling, it is by His Grace that we live and find our worth, and Christ is ultimately all we need to survive in this failed world. Justification through our Faith in Jesus Christ, God’s Grace and Mercy, and the Hope and Salvation through His Blood that was shed on Calvary Hill, all of this and more is available to you and I, BUT we must make the first move. 

As humans, we have the gift of free will, we can go left, or we can go right, we can go up, or we can go down, the choice is ours, and so are the results of those decisions. You and I must make the choice to place our Faith in Him above all else, we must place God in the driver’s seat, and we’ve got to ride in the back. Unfortunately, there are many who will not make this choice, there are those who will choose to live a life that is un-pleasing to God, resulting in this fallen world we see today. You see, God is a gentleman, and because of this, He will never force you or I to do anything outside of our own will, nor will He force anyone else to follow Him. Ultimately, the choice is ours, we can choose to live for God, or we can follow the self-destructive will of our flesh, but I promise you this, if you will make the first move, if you reach out in faith, God will never let you down. 

Wow, by the Blood of the Lamb, we are Justified! Freed from the wages of sin, and washed as clean as the driven snow!