Forgiven, Part 10: Justification

He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are Thou to take the book, and to break its seals, for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase for God with Thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.' He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.

Hebrews 1:3, Revelation 5:9, Titus 3:5, Colossians 1:14, Romans 5:9

...
The shed blood of Jesus Christ has accomplished our justification before God—God receiving us just as though we had never sinned. Because of Christ's shed blood, God can look at our lives no matter how dark, how sinful, or how unclean they may have been and declare us guilt-free! In justification our debts are not only canceled, they are wiped clean; our sins are not only forgiven, they are remembered against us no more.

Justification is a legal term. If we are brought before a judge to be tried for a crime and proven innocent, we have been justified. If we are proven guilty, we cannot be justified, and we must pay the penalty for our crime. The only way we could ever be declared justified once and we've been proven guilty is to have someone else meet the full demands of the law by taking our punishment for us. Christ's blood has justified us because we were guilty, and He took our judgment for us. He is the spotless lamb offered up for the transgressor...the obedient Son taking the place of the rebellious child...the caring Creator yielding His life for His fallen creation.
...
Lord,
I praise You that I can stand before You guilt-free. What a great salvation You have brought me. You didn't just pity me, You came to take every judgment I deserved. You haven't just forgiven me, You have regarded my sin as though it had never happened. You are my wonderful Savior, and I am grateful!
Amen

Written by Roy Lessin. ©2002, 2019 DaySpring. Used with permission, all rights reserved.