View source for Template:DOD protected/November 24

{{DOD-November}}

Chapter 3:21-31 defines "justification." It means to be declared righteous in the eyes of [[God]]; not through the merits of self, but through the merits of Christ. It could be explained as, "Just as if I had never sinned." [[Justification]] is [[God]]'s righteousness imputed to man's account. We must remember that justification comes freely by [[God]]'s [[grace]]; not by works, good intentions, gifts, or prayers--but freely, by the [[grace]] of [[God]], through our [[Lord]] and Saviour, [[Jesus]] Christ.

Chapter 4 is one that should be mastered by all. It illustrates how [[God]] justifies un[[God]]ly people through the [[death]], burial, and resurrection of [[Jesus]] Christ. We see again in verses 1-8 that justification is not by works; and in verses 9-17 that it is not by law--but by [[grace]]. [[Paul]] very wisely uses the illustration of [[Abraham]] in describing justification. [[Abraham]]'s justification was not by works, but because he believed [[God]] (see Genesis 15:1-6).

Today, just as in years gone by, mankind is seeking [[peace]]. Chapter 5:1 tells us how we can have the [[peace]] the world is seeking. "Therefore being justified by [[faith]], we have [[peace]] with [[God]] through our [[Lord]] [[Jesus]] Christ." In this chapter we also read of how [[sin]] entered into the world. Read verse 12 very carefully. It tells us that by one man ([[Adam]]) [[sin]] entered into the world, and [[death]] by [[sin]]; and so [[death]] passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. In chapter 3:23 we read that all have sinned and come short of the glory of [[God]]. And chapter 6:23 notes that the wages of [[sin]] is [[death]]; but* the gift of [[God]] is eternal life through [[Jesus]] Christ our [[Lord]]. Chapter 5:8 tells us, "But [[God]] commendeth his [[love]] toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." When He died on the cross, the wages of [[sin]] were paid. When man, by [[faith]], believes and receives the atonement of [[Jesus]], [[sin]] is no longer imputed to him, but he is born-again by the [[grace]] of [[God]]. What a blessed truth we, as Christians, can share with a lost and dying world! Christ came into the world, lived a perfect and sinless life, and then died on the cross that all who believe in Him might have everlasting life.