Justified

Romans 5:1,2: 1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

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That word "justified" has always befuddled me. Justified in the Greek is dikaioo, which means to declare righteous or not guilty. Some of you may say, OK Scott, what is the big deal? But a closer look at what I once was, the things I use to do and if I am honest, the things that I still do on occasion, reveals a deeper meaning. I am guilty. I don't have a leg to stand on. When the judge stands before me with a list of sins that I have committed, all I can do is plead the blood.

I am set free because of the blood of Jesus Christ. Here is the kicker, I am not "pardoned", meaning I was found guilty but let go anyway. I am declared "not guilty". That is JUSTIFICATION. It is as if the sins were never committed!

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Psalm 103:10-13 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him.

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Just how far is the East from the West? Forever. Never to be remembered anymore. But, there is more!

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In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul list 9 classes of people that will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But watch what he says in verse 11: And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

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Paul listed these sins, then said, "and such were some of you". The next word changes everything, "but". He lists three distinct things that had happened to some of them. They were washed (meaning washed in the blood of Christ). They were sanctified (meaning to set apart for a specific purpose). They were justified (there is that word again). Those three things happen when we call on the name of the Lord, ask Him to forgive us of our sins, and ask him to be Lord of our life.

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I don't understand how it happens. I just am grateful is does.

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BTW, if you have not picked up the new Jeremy Camp CD, you need to get saved! WOW! It is typical Jeremy Camp, simply awesome!