Justification is a term that is defined as “the action of showing something to be right or reasonable.” In Theology, it is “the action of declaring or making one righteous in the sight of God.” We all want to be justified. We want to feel we have a right to act as we do. We do not want to feel guilty for any of our actions. Guilt is a horrible thing unless it is resolved. In our everyday world, justification occurs either by rationalizing ourselves or by a judge or jury if a crime has been committed.
Anytime we are declared justified, we should realize what a blessing we have received. In Romans 5, Paul outlines blessings that flow from being justified. In verse 1, because of our faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross, we have peace with God. We are no longer His enemy. We have a relationship as a parent does with a child. We no longer are subject to His wrath as a punishment for our sins. He treats us as His own. There will be times of chastisement if we are doing wrong, but just as a father disciplines his child, God disciplines us, not out of anger, but to correct us to keep us from living a life that is detrimental to ourselves.
Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
We also have a great blessing when we think of our future. We have the certain expectation that we will spend eternity with God in Heaven. In verse 2, we are given the promise we can rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:2 “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
The next blessing may seem strange, but we can also rejoice in suffering. Yes, I said rejoice in suffering. Why? Because there is a process to prove our authenticity. Glory in tribulation doesn’t mean we look for an opportunity to suffer. It means that when trials and tribulations come, and they will, we have hope that if we stay true to our commitment to God, we will gain through the trials.
If we place our complete faith in God, our trials will cause us to have patience. Patience is not just enduring with an attitude of “just get through this time,” but getting through with a positive attitude that God is working on our behalf and He will win the victory. We show that our faith is real when we persevere patiently in the face of opposition. This will lead us to a deeper yearning for the fulfillment of our hope.
Romans 5:3-4 “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:”
In verse 5, Paul assures us that our hope will be fulfilled. God has given us the Holy Spirit to live within us, and He reminds us that God’s love for us will secure our hope. The future of God’s children is secure and unchangeable. No one or thing can change that as long as we believe.
Romans 5:5 “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
Verses 6-8 point us to the cross as proof of the love God has for us. The death of His only son, innocent and holy, leaving Heaven to become a man and experience death to pay the penalty for our sins, is the greatest proof of His love and commitment to us. He provided for us what we could not do for ourselves. His holiness would not allow Him to declare us just. The penalty had to be paid. In verse 8, the word commendeth means he demonstrated His love for us.
Romans 5:6-8 “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”
Finally, verses 9-11 give us the final blessing of justification. We can be sure that He will save us. He has done all that He could to provide justification for us. We were His enemies, doomed for Hell, with no hope at all, yet He provided atonement for our sins. Our hope is secure in Him. He cannot lie, and if we put our faith in Him and obey Him, we are justified.
Romans 5:9-11 “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.”
How would you feel if you had committed a crime, and you knew you were doomed to spend the rest of your life in prison or suffer the death penalty, but just before you were sentenced, someone stepped in and took your place, declared you justified and allowed you to go free? The elation of that act would be uncontrollable. No amount of thanks would be enough to the one who set you free. For the rest of your life, your goal would be to show your gratitude in every way possible. That is the kind of reaction most anyone would have.
Right now, take a step back and realize that is exactly what Christ did for you. Examine yourself and determine if you are living a life of gratitude. If not, start today. Don’t miss opportunities to worship him, both privately and corporately. He commands it. Don’t pass up an opportunity to tell others what He has done for you. Your justification cost Jesus His life. You can never repay Him, but you can live the rest of your life showing your love and gratitude to Him.
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