Monday April 4, 2022

Today is Monday, April 4 and this week we explore what the Bible says about justification.

Today I seek to draw near to the presence of God. I take a moment to relax, slow my breathing and silence my scattered thoughts as I focus on the God who loves me.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, I seek you in the quiet stillness of the day. I treasure these precious, intimate moments with you and long to hear the message you have for me. Speak to me through the power of your Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

I praise God for his goodness and mercy and rejoice with the ancient words of Psalm 103.

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion. Psalm 103:1-4

Pause and Pray

Justification means the act of making someone righteous before God. Because humans are born into original sin the only way to be justified is through faith in Jesus Christ. When God justifies, he declares believers in Christ to be righteous in spite of their sin. The death of Jesus upon the cross pays the penalty for sin and God accepts me as if I had never trespassed. Nothing I do can earn this; I can only receive it as a gift of God’s grace given freely to those who believe in Jesus. Souls are counted righteous before God only for the merit of Christ, by faith, and not because of good deeds or merit. The 16th century Protestant reformer, Martin Luther struggled all his life to earn God’s favor. No matter how many good deeds, hours at confession, days of fasting, nights sleeping in the cold, and days serving the poor, Luther never felt sure of God’s love and acceptance. One day while reading Romans chapter three, he found his answer.

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Romans 3:21-26

The entire biblical testimony reveals the righteousness of God. God’s holiness is in stark contrast to sinful humanity. Every human being has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and that includes me; I possess inherent and original sin. Every human can be justified freely through grace and that includes me; I can receive redemption because of Jesus. He is a sacrifice of atonement and the shedding of his blood covers my sin – all of it. That knowledge is too wonderful to comprehend and I receive it purely by faith. Like Martin Luther, no matter how hard I try to “be good,” check the religious boxes, measure up, and set myself right with God, I will never get there. I cannot make myself righteous or holy, only God can. When I have faith in Jesus I am justified by God.

Ask: What do I do to try to gain approval from God and others? Do I believe Jesus Christ is the only way to be set right with God?

Pause and Pray

God of mercy and grace, I have sinned and fallen short of your glory. I have failed to live an obedient life. Thank you for the sacrifice of your Son Jesus whose blood was shed for my sins, even mine. I believe in Jesus and place my complete faith in him. Justify my soul and set me right with you through your generous offering of grace. I read the words from Romans again and listen for the message you have for me.

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Romans 3:21-26

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

God speaks to me through passages of his holy word and I want to hear his message. Perhaps God wants to reveal something regarding this teaching on justification by faith. Maybe God wants to provide an answer to my religious questions or a solution to my spiritual struggle. I reflect on the term justification – God makes me righteous through my faith in Jesus. I consider when and how I have experienced justification by God. What difference has it made in my life and how does it inform my future?

Pause and Pray

Come, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I invite you to speak to the deepest questions of my heart. I long to be made righteous before you and seek the holiness you provide. I trust completely in the blood of Jesus to cleanse my sin sick soul, transform my wayward heart and set me right. Thank you for your generous mercy, loving grace and promised hope of eternal life. Amen.

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:5-7

As I leave this time of prayer, I go as a justified believer in Jesus Christ to love others, show mercy, and demonstrate kindness to a hurting world.

Amen