Readings:
Psalm 13
Galatians 2:11-16
Focus:
Galatians 2:16a: "Yet we know that no one is ever justified by doing what the law requires, but only through faith in Christ Jesus."
This is the heart of the gospel, and it can never be repeated too often. No one is ever justified--saved--by obeying the law. It is only by having faith in Jesus Christ that one is saved.
Christianity is not about following rules, or about being right. Christianity is about having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Later, after having that relationship, Christians live in obedience to God out of gratitude for what he has done. But it is not that way of life that saves people. It is when a person puts her or his faith in Jesus Christ that that person is saved.
God has made it easy for us! That's how much he loves us.
Showing posts with label justified. Show all posts
Showing posts with label justified. Show all posts
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Washed Clean
Readings:
Job 8
I Corinthians 6:1-11
Focus:
I Corinthians 6:9b:11a: "Make no mistake: no fornicator or idolater, no adulterer or sexual pervert, no thief, extortioner, drunkard, slanderer, or swindler will possess the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you have been washed clean."
First Paul gives a list of examples of the types of wrongdoings that disqualify people from eternal life with God. It sounds pretty bad. But then he says something hopeful, because he's speaking to Christians, people who have been saved and who expect to have that eternal life with God: "Such were some of you."
If they had been like that, then it's maybe it's not hopeless for other people like that!
And in fact, it's not, because Paul finishes his sentence: "Such were some of you; but you have been washed clean, you have been dedicated to God, you have been justified through the name of the Lord Jesus and through the Spirit of our God."
"Justified" means "made to look to God as if you were just or righteous." So in spite of being a pervert or a thief or a slanderer or any other such dire wrongdoer, or a liar or an angry person or a selfish person, when we give ourselves to God and are sorry for what we have done, we are washed clean; we look to God as if we were righteous, as if we had not done those things.
That's a good deal worth taking.
Job 8
I Corinthians 6:1-11
Focus:
I Corinthians 6:9b:11a: "Make no mistake: no fornicator or idolater, no adulterer or sexual pervert, no thief, extortioner, drunkard, slanderer, or swindler will possess the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you have been washed clean."
First Paul gives a list of examples of the types of wrongdoings that disqualify people from eternal life with God. It sounds pretty bad. But then he says something hopeful, because he's speaking to Christians, people who have been saved and who expect to have that eternal life with God: "Such were some of you."
If they had been like that, then it's maybe it's not hopeless for other people like that!
And in fact, it's not, because Paul finishes his sentence: "Such were some of you; but you have been washed clean, you have been dedicated to God, you have been justified through the name of the Lord Jesus and through the Spirit of our God."
"Justified" means "made to look to God as if you were just or righteous." So in spite of being a pervert or a thief or a slanderer or any other such dire wrongdoer, or a liar or an angry person or a selfish person, when we give ourselves to God and are sorry for what we have done, we are washed clean; we look to God as if we were righteous, as if we had not done those things.
That's a good deal worth taking.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Who Is Against Us?
Readings:
Nehemiah 7:39-73
Romans 8:31-34
Focus:
Romans 8:31b: "If God is on our side, who is against us?"
This is my second most favorite verse in the Bible. Paul has just laid it all out for us. God loves us so much that he wants us to live with him eternally. For that reason he has come himself, as Jesus Christ, to take the punishment for our sins, instead of us. Although we are guilty, he has acquitted us.
As Paul says, speaking in terms of eternity, who will bring a charge against us if God has acquitted us? Our future is secure; there is no one who can condemn us. God is greater than any who might try.
What a hope to hang onto in the midst of troubles! In this life we may know sorrow, oppression, and conflict, but ultimately, if God is on our side, who is against us? We have God's love and strength to see us through, and he is there, bright and shining, at the end.
Nehemiah 7:39-73
Romans 8:31-34
Focus:
Romans 8:31b: "If God is on our side, who is against us?"
This is my second most favorite verse in the Bible. Paul has just laid it all out for us. God loves us so much that he wants us to live with him eternally. For that reason he has come himself, as Jesus Christ, to take the punishment for our sins, instead of us. Although we are guilty, he has acquitted us.
As Paul says, speaking in terms of eternity, who will bring a charge against us if God has acquitted us? Our future is secure; there is no one who can condemn us. God is greater than any who might try.
What a hope to hang onto in the midst of troubles! In this life we may know sorrow, oppression, and conflict, but ultimately, if God is on our side, who is against us? We have God's love and strength to see us through, and he is there, bright and shining, at the end.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Justified by God's Free Grace Alone
Readings:
II Chronicles 34
Romans 3:21-26
Focus:
Romans 3:24: "All are justified by God's free grace alone, through his act of liberation in the person of Christ Jesus."
The great message of the book of Romans is that we are justified--made to be as if we were just, or righteous, or perfectly good--not by what we do, but by God's grace. God's grace is a free gift to us of salvation--salvation to live with meaning and purpose, and to live eternally with him.
This gift of grace comes to us through our acknowledgement of what he has done for us in Jesus Christ. As verse 22 says, "it (righteousness) is effective through faith in Christ for all who have such faith--all, without distinction."
It's an amazing gift, because none of us deserve it. As verse 23 says, "all alike have sinned." But, without distinction, no matter who we are or what we have done, God offers us this free grace, and he does it by becoming human and dying for us. That's how much God loves us. And all we have to do is acknowledge it and turn our lives over to him. Not a bad deal at all. I'll take it!
II Chronicles 34
Romans 3:21-26
Focus:
Romans 3:24: "All are justified by God's free grace alone, through his act of liberation in the person of Christ Jesus."
The great message of the book of Romans is that we are justified--made to be as if we were just, or righteous, or perfectly good--not by what we do, but by God's grace. God's grace is a free gift to us of salvation--salvation to live with meaning and purpose, and to live eternally with him.
This gift of grace comes to us through our acknowledgement of what he has done for us in Jesus Christ. As verse 22 says, "it (righteousness) is effective through faith in Christ for all who have such faith--all, without distinction."
It's an amazing gift, because none of us deserve it. As verse 23 says, "all alike have sinned." But, without distinction, no matter who we are or what we have done, God offers us this free grace, and he does it by becoming human and dying for us. That's how much God loves us. And all we have to do is acknowledge it and turn our lives over to him. Not a bad deal at all. I'll take it!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Justified by Faith
Readings:
II Chronicles 28
Romans 1:1-17
Focus:
Romans 1:17b: "Whoever is justified through faith shall gain life."
This statement is the heart of the gospel. The book of Romans sets out the gospel most clearly in all the Bible, and already in the first chapter Paul states it in just a few words.
People are not saved--do not gain eternal life with God--by doing anything. It is not by following rules, or through good deeds, or by being good people, that they are saved. It is by faith and faith only.
When we realize that we need God, when we are sorry for what we have done wrong, when we want to turn away from doing wrong and try not to do wrong any more, when we ask for forgiveness and put our faith in God, then we are saved.
This is what it means to be "justified". When we put our faith in God and he forgives us, he substitutes Jesus's sinless state for our sinful condition. He considers us as if we were just (righteous), and makes it possible for us to be with him eternally.
It's the best deal ever.
II Chronicles 28
Romans 1:1-17
Focus:
Romans 1:17b: "Whoever is justified through faith shall gain life."
This statement is the heart of the gospel. The book of Romans sets out the gospel most clearly in all the Bible, and already in the first chapter Paul states it in just a few words.
People are not saved--do not gain eternal life with God--by doing anything. It is not by following rules, or through good deeds, or by being good people, that they are saved. It is by faith and faith only.
When we realize that we need God, when we are sorry for what we have done wrong, when we want to turn away from doing wrong and try not to do wrong any more, when we ask for forgiveness and put our faith in God, then we are saved.
This is what it means to be "justified". When we put our faith in God and he forgives us, he substitutes Jesus's sinless state for our sinful condition. He considers us as if we were just (righteous), and makes it possible for us to be with him eternally.
It's the best deal ever.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
