Justified Freely

Romans 3.24-26

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus :  25 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 ;  26 To declare , [I say], at this time his righteousness : that he might be just , and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Oh, to be justified freely!  What an incredible, unimaginable gift.  To receive justice is to get what one deserves.  Therefore, to be justified freely stands in opposition to the whole principle of justice. 

When freely is combined with justice the implication is justification without its penalty; and that is just what God offers.  Yet, this justification does not come without consequence, the truth of the passage is that the consequence has just been placed upon another, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Notice the words, ". . . Propitiation through faith in His blood."  We must always be reminded that our justification is personally free, but is cost Jesus everything.  To have "faith in His blood" is to take God's Word concerning the blood of Jesus Christ.  His blood was unique blood, it was divine blood, and it was shed and presented to the Father revealing that the required penalty for our sins had been Paid In Full.   So that our justification appears free to us only because Jesus paid for it by taking our place on Calvary's cross. 

That payment is made for all who will act "through faith in His blood."  Those of us who respond to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ by accepting Him as the payment required for their personal sins will be, and are, justified freely.  All that is required to remove the burden and guilt of your sin is for you to see what Jesus did for you, understand that God has said that what Jesus did is all that is required, and accept Jesus’ payment on your behalf.  Once you do then you will be justified freely and everything in your life will change, as many of us already know.

It saddens my heart to know how great the cost was for sins that I took so lightly.  Yet, it rejoices my heart to realize that my Lord Jesus Christ loved me so much that He was willing to give everything to pay the penalty I owed and to unite me with my Heavenly Father.  It is this realization and joy that helps me to make right decisions about sin daily.  This understanding also helps me to stand in the face of present temptations and trails.  How could I disappoint one who has given so very much for me?

Praise God for the free justification He willingly gives you and I.  It is available to all, and something to be highly desired.  Thank God for the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, and all that it represents and reminds us of, as we are justified freely through faith in His blood.

Published 25 July 2006

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