Pondering His Holy Word

Today is his judgment day, and this man will learn his sentence for all of his crimes. He knows that he is guilty, and the evidence is overwhelming even if he deluded himself. The crime he committed was… well… It was severe enough for the jury to recommend the death penalty. He figured that he would appeal to buy time, but he knew that would just delay the inevitable; he would indeed be executed. What is running through his mind? What can he expect, knowing his guilt? Would the judge have mercy on him, or would he sentence him to death? What would you do if you were standing before God in judgment knowing that you broke at least some of his commandments? 

In Romans, Paul explains to the church in Rome that we all stand convicted before God because we all had fallen short. In our sinful state, it was impossible to keep the Lord’s commandments. However, Jesus, the Son of God, died so that whoever believes will have everlasting life (John 3:16). Jesus took the punishment for those who were still enemies at the time of His death. Paul also explains, “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God” (Roman 3:10-11). Because our hearts are naturally tilted away from God, we can’t keep his law. Only Jesus, God incarnate, kept the law perfectly. Yet, He was numbered with transgressors, though He was innocent, and bore our sins (Isaiah 53:12).  Then, on the third day, He rose. Because He was the perfect sacrifice, death could not restrain Him.

Why did Jesus voluntarily suffer for us while we were still at enmity with him? Because God loved us so much, He gave his only begotten Son so that we may be in Good standing with Him. So He took on our sins so that we may live. Furthermore, we are reconciled to God by our faith in Jesus’s death and resurrection (Romans 5:8-11). 

Now, what does reconciliation mean for us? Justification and Salvation. Now that we are saved, are we instantly changed? How is salvation supposed to feel?  Well, salvation is not a feeling but a standing before God (Romans 5:1-2). 

As sinners, we stood convicted before God, and our punishment was eternal damnation and, worse eternal separation from God (Romans 3:9-18). However, Because of Jesus’s atoning sacrifice, He took our guilt. By our faith, the Lord, our God, credited Jesus righteous to us. 
Our new standing before God means that our relationship with God has been renewed. Now the LORD, our God, has promised to send His Holy Spirit to dwell in us and make us His holy temple (1 Peter 2:4-5, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Roman 8-9, Hebrew 3:6). Previously, we would be killed if we were to stand before God because of His Holiness and our sinfulness (Exodus 33:19-23, Hebrew 12:14). Now, God has credited us with Jesus’ righteousness. Therefore, God’s Spirit can reside in us. When you are justified before Christ, it is not a new feeling but a new standing before. You are justified before Him, and He will live with you to sanctify you with His righteousness so that you will be more like Him. 

Prayer: 
Dear Heavenly father. Thank you for sending Your only begotten Son to die for us. So now we may call You Abba (father) and follow You. Thank You for erasing our debts and crediting us as righteous in Jesus’ name. I pray that Your Holy Spirit will live with us and in us so that we can become more like Christ. In His name, we pray Amen. 

Romans 3:21-27

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.