Justified! · Monday, February 25th ·2013 - Rhapsody of Realities

Pastor Chris

But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification (Romans 4:24-25).


The above verse didn’t say Jesus Christ was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our forgiveness, even though that would have been wonderful. Rather, it says He was delivered for our offences, and raised back to life for our justification. How could that be? How could we (the offenders) be suddenly declared justified?
The answer is in the Apostle Paul’s explanation in Romans 3:26: "To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." The Greek word translated justification is "dikaiōsis," and it means acquittal. It’s a legal or formal declaration of innocence. This is different from being forgiven. It’s one thing to be guilty, and have someone come and pay the penalty on your behalf. But that’s not what the Word says here. It says Jesus was delivered to death for your offences, and raised back to life for your justification; your acquittal! You’ve been formerly declared innocent. God is not charging you with any wrong, because to Him, you never sinned!
This is what makes it the Gospel, the good news. How could God say you never sinned? It’s because being born again, you’re born a new man, with the life and nature of God, having no past: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). When Jesus was raised from the dead, He was born again; God said "…this day have I begotten you" (Acts 13:33). That’s the same life He has given to us (1 John 5:12).
As a new creation, you have a new life in Christ; you’re a brand new man! You’re not merely a forgiven man; You’re a justified man. You’ve been declared not guilty of any sin. You have, in other words, been discharged and acquitted! Romans 6:4 says, "…we are buried with him (Christ) by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." If you err, afterwards, you can receive forgiveness which the Lord has provided in the Gospel (1 John 1:9).

Confession
I’m a new creation in Christ Jesus, born with the glorious life and nature of God in my spirit. I’ve been justified by faith and walk in the light of my new life in Christ, without condemnation but as the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

f u r t h e r s t u d y: James 4:7; Romans 5:1