Juli Camarin

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Delivered to Death, Raised for Life—Romans 4:25

"He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification" (Romans 4:25)

When I first started understanding Romans, this verse was an ah-ha moment. A critical brick in the foundation of a grace Jesus built in my life. 

I had understood partial truths my whole life. Truths that focused on Jesus dying for my sin. My interpretation made the hero of the story my sin. “You are a sinner, God doesn’t like you, Jesus had to die for you—now try harder.

There was a serious disconnect between Jesus dying to pay for my sin and Him liking me. This is true for many of us. Hey, why else do so many of us refer to ourselves (and each other) as sinners saved by grace?

This turn of phrase stabs Jesus the heart. 

Here’s why—Yes, Jesus’ death was necessary. Yes, Jesus did it willingly, but the goal wasn’t only to pay the debt of sin for the world (past, present and future: Heb. 7:27; 8:12; 9:12, 14, 26, 28; 10:10, 12, 14, 18, 22; 1 Pet. 3:18). The goal was to secure a change in legal standing before God (justification, Rom. 4:25). 

Our status changed with the resurrection—We’ve missed this!  

This means that God once considered us sinners guilty of breaking the entire law (James 2:10). But, Paul says that Jesus’ resurrection was to secure our justification. Justification is a legal change from guilty to not guilty

But our status of not guilty isn’t that we’re considered as never having broken a law, our new status credits us with always having obeyed the law. That is incredible! 

Paul explains it further in Chapter 8, “For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit,” (Rom. 8:3-4).

Do you see the difference? 

In Christ Jesus, we are not merely sinners saved by grace; we stand before God with a perfect, sinless record. He does not keep score. He doesn’t look at us as the sum of our mistakes. He looks at us and sees Jesus’ perfect record (righteousness). 

Once I started to understand this, my relationship with God changed. I understood myself as a beloved daughter that didn’t need to hide from God. I could let go of past sins and mistakes. I quit berating myself, wallowing in shame. I found the elusive freedom promised in scripture.

Do you consider yourself as a lowly sinner saved by grace?

How would your life change if you thought of yourself as having Jesus’ perfect sinless record?

What past sins and mistakes do you need to forgive yourself for? 

Need More on Justification?

You’re in luck, check out these articles on justification and marvel at all that Jesus did for us.

Previous: Romans 4:23-24  Next: Romans 5:1

Original article published July 18, 2009.

Righteousness is Credited to Us—Romans 4:23-24

"The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness-for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead" (Romans 4:23-24)

Let’s give a collective sigh of relief! We too can experience peace and acceptance with God (righteousness) by trusting in God’s power to save us and make us right with Him. This means we stop trusting in our own ability. A point Paul has made so many times in the first 4 chapters of Romans, it’s ridiculous!

Paul plays the trump card so we understand God’s power—He raised Jesus from the dead! 

How many of us can say this?

No one.

There is a stark contrast between our power and Gods. This is one more reason to trust God when He asks us to put our faith in Him. If His power can raise the dead, what won’t it do in our own lives?  

In this chapter, Paul compares and contrasts what two Old Testament heroes knew that we miss, stop trying and start trusting (Rom. 4:5, 13). The result, righteousness. Right-standing with God, having a record that doesn’t keep score of our sins and mistakes. It credits us perfection, as if we’ve always obeyed God’s laws and standards. That’s incredible! 

What comes to mind when contrasting your power with Gods?

Do you see yourself with a perfect record?

Where are you keeping score of sins and mistakes?

What areas are you trusting in your own power?

Where could you trust in God’s resurrection power? 

Previous: Romans 4:22  Next: Romans 4:25

Original article published July 17, 2009.

Romans

God's Amazing Story of Relentless Grace!

The Book of Romans is a masterfully written exposition on God’s grace and the righteousness that comes by grace through faith. This book (a letter) is the foundation of the entire Christian faith and has changed the hearts of many as they read and understand the wonderful truths nestled inside. Get an in-depth verse by verse explanation of this book...

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Colossians

Christ In You, The Hope of Glory

Colossians is short book, written by the Apostle Paul to the Church in Colosse. Paul writes about the mystery of God hidden for ages but now revealed to the Church. This mystery is Christ in you, the hope of glory (vs. 1:27). Paul explains what this means and how this changes the way we live. Get an in-depth explanation of this book.

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Hebrews

Jesus Changed Everything!

The book of Hebrews is the bridge that connects the Old Testament & the New. This book is about Jesus and how He is the guarantee of a NEW & BETTER covenant. Get an in-depth verse by verse explanation of this book...

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Kingdom

The Teachings of Jesus

Jesus spent His entire earthly ministry talking about the Kingdom and explaining it to His disciples. The Gospels are full of Kingdom Principles for believers to operate in on a daily basis. Join me for this amazing journey through the Gospels and the teachings of Jesus.

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  • About Juli Camarin

    About Juli Camarin

    I’m passionate about Jesus, His Word, living in His grace,
    using technology and creating beautiful things.
    But mostly my passion is about spreading the
    gospel of Jesus to a world that needs Him.

       

    about Juli Camarin

  • About Juli Camarin 2

    About Juli Camarin

    I’m passionate about Jesus, His Word, living in His grace,
    using technology and creating beautiful things.
    But mostly my passion is about spreading the
    gospel of Jesus to a world that needs Him.

       

    about Juli Camarin

Books by Juli

Exploring God's Word, planting the seeds of life.