Thought 213
Justification?
Do you live a life in which you constantly try
to defend what you do? Mankind often tries to justify its lifestyle, choices,
and decisions. It is sobering, but attempting to justify our actions, is really
just making up an accuse for why we have been disobedient. God sent His Son to
make righteous (perfection) atonement for you and me on the Cross. If you are a
follower of Christ, Christ has forgiven you of all your sins and washed them away! Jesus has covered them with His
purity!
As Believers, we were justified in Christ, that is, God sees Jesus’ payment on the
Cross instead of our sin when He looks at us. We are being sanctified in Christ, that is, we are being made more and
more like Jesus every day that we follow the Him as Lord. We will be glorified in Christ, that is, we
will one day be in Heaven where there will be no temptation to sin and we will
be perfect.
In the
Old Testament, Lot’s wife looked back and became a pillar of stone (Gen. 19:26)
because she loved her explanation for turning (disobeying) more than she loved
God. The Lord Jesus has paid the price, but He allows us to make a choice with
our will to obey or disobey His Word. When Lot’s wife disobeyed, she reaped the
consequences of death. Perhaps your disobedience will not bring death, but it
will bring other consequences.
Instead of focusing
your attention on why you are right
in what you have done, focus on your
attention on the Lord (Matt. 6:33). And out of that focus, love others at Christ
loves you: practice the The Golden Rule:
So in everything, do to others
what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 7:12 (NIV1984)
Ask the Holy Spirit how to put The Golden
Rule into motion today.
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Each of you should look not
only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians
2:4 (NIV1984)
Lord, may You help us to ground our lives in
the firm foundation of Your Word. Help us to not look our own minds or
reasoning for justification of our actions, but, Holy Spirit, help us to see
Jesus in all we do. And may our love for Him inspire us to live by the Word. In
Jesus Name, Amen.
Tip for
Growth
Study the Biblical meanings of
Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification.
