"Declaring a guilty sinner, not guilty."
The above statement is one of the most straightforward definitions of Justification. However, this definition brings more questions to mind.
Why free a guilty person? Who freed this guilty sinner? Etc.
The simple answer is in the word "Grace."
Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
As believers in Christ, we are justified by Grace through Jesus. This means that our sins are forgiven, and we are made right with God because of Jesus's sacrifice on the cross.
But what does this mean for us as Christians? It means that we no longer have to strive to earn our salvation or try to be perfect in order to be accepted by God. Only through the Grace of God, through faith in Jesus, are we saved.
Titus 3:5, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit."
Take a moment to think about earning your salvation. How many sacrifices does it require? How much penance? How many good deeds? What exactly are the goods you need to do? How much righteousness would please GOD? Do you lose years of excellent work within a second, you err? Remember what the Bible says in the book of,
Isaiah 64:6, "But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."
This truth sets us free from a life of guilt and shame, where we constantly try to measure up and earn our worthiness before God. We can rest in the assurance that our sins have been paid for, and we are now seen as righteous in God's eyes.
However, this does not mean we can continue living in sin. Paul addresses this very issue in,
Romans 6:1-2, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that Grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?"
Being justified by Grace through Christ also means that we are called to live a life of holiness and righteousness. The Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome sin and obey God's will. John 14:26 made it clear that the Holy Spirit will constantly remind us of all things:
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."
This means we who believe will subsequently be able to tell before we commit sin and consciously decide it is not part of God's will for our lives, nor will this action make God happy. We choose to do the right thing through the comforter that indwells in us.
In addition, our Justification by Grace gives us hope for the future. As believers, we have the promise of eternal life with God. This hope sustains us through trials and difficulties, knowing that this life is not all there is.
Furthermore, our Justification by Grace also calls us to extend this same Grace to others. Just as we have received Grace and forgiveness from God, we are called to forgive and show love to those around us.
Being justified by Grace through Christ is a foundational truth for believers. It sets us free from striving and empowers us to live a life that brings glory to God. Let us continually thank Him for His amazing Grace and strive to walk in obedience and love toward others. So, let's continue living in the freedom of God's Grace, sharing it with others, and bringing glory to God.
As believers in Christ, we are justified by Grace and sustained and transformed by His Mercy. Mercy and Grace go hand in hand—Grace forgives our sins, and Mercy withholds the punishment that we rightfully deserve.
God's Mercy is evident throughout the Bible, from the Old to the New Testament. We see it in God's continual forgiveness towards His people despite their constant disobedience. It is ultimately displayed through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross - taking the punishment for our sins upon Himself.
1 Peter 1:3: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great Mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
But God's Mercy doesn't stop there. It extends to every aspect of our lives. When we fall short and make mistakes, His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). When we face trials and hardships, His Mercy sustains us and gives us strength to persevere. When we come before Him in prayer, His Mercy covers us and invites us into a loving relationship with Him.
As recipients of God's Mercy, we are also called to extend it to others. Just as Jesus showed Mercy to the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11), we too should show compassion and forgiveness towards those who have wronged us. This is not always easy, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can choose to forgive and extend Grace and Mercy just as God has done for us.
We must never take for granted the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross. And as we continue to grow in our faith, let us remember that it is only by God's Mercy that we can walk in obedience and live a life that brings glory to Him.
Psalm 103:11-12 "For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us."
Conclusively, our Justification by Grace and sustained by Mercy through Christ is a beautiful reminder of God's unending love for us. Let us hold onto this truth and allow it to transform our lives as we strive to become more like Jesus daily. Let us be grateful for this gift and continue living in the freedom of God's Grace while extending His Mercy to others, all for the glory of His name. Let us never forget that we are justified by Grace and sustained by Mercy because of Jesus' great love for us. This is truly something worth celebrating every day! So let's live out this truth in our daily lives, allowing it to shape our thoughts, actions, and relationships and, as such, bring hope and light into a broken world. May we always remember that it is only through God's Mercy and Grace that we can genuinely experience true freedom and fulfilment in life.