Focus: We're Justified in Christ

Text: Act.13:39

"And BY HIM all that believe are JUSTIFIED from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses."

Through the death of Christ on the cross God has made our justification possible. What the law couldn't do, Christ did for us. The sinner is discharged and acquitted for Christ's sake. Indeed, in Christ the sinner becomes a saint and is granted a brand new status.

Let us see some facets of our justification.

1. The GRACE of God is the SOURCE of our justification. Paul says, "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus… That being JUSTIFIED BY HIS GRACE, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life" (Rom.3:24; Tit.3:7).

2. The BLOOD of Christ is the BASIS or ground of our justification.

Paul speaks, "Much more then, being now JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD, we shall be saved from wrath through him" (Rom.9:5).

3. CHRIST is the SPHERE of our justification.

Paul says, "But if, while we seek to be justified BY Christ…" (Gal.2:17). The little word 'by' also means 'in.' It is in Christ that we are justified.

4. FAITH is the MEDIUM of our justification.

Paul declares, "Therefore we conclude that a man is JUSTIFIED BY FAITH without the deeds of the law… Therefore being JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom.3:28; 5:1).

5. GOOD WORKS are the EVIDENCE of our justification.

Paul tells us, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto GOOD WORKS, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph.2:8-10). Also in Gal.5:6, we read that "faith…worketh by love" (Gal.5:6). The justified show it by the fruit of good works. A German philosopher said, "Show me that you are redeemed, and I will believe in your redeemer."

O, how liberating it is to know that in Christ we have a fresh start with God, for Paul writes, "And such were some of you: but ye are WASHED, but ye are SANCTIFIED, but ye are JUSTIFIED, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (1Cor.6:11)! Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus! We are forever grateful for everything. Amen.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter