JC Blog

Did you know that observance of the Law has nothing to do with justification? This comes as a shock to many people, but the truth is, that the Bible says, man is justified and made upright by faith independent of and distinctly apart from good deeds. In other words, there is nothing that you can do to ever earn your salvation.

A friend of mine was telling me a story about one of his employees who was searching for the truth and as they were talking, the employee recited a long lineage of the things he had done to earn his salvation. My friend said something to him that has stuck with me. He told him that salvation was a lot simpler than he was making it out to be. It wasn't what he did to earn it, it was what Jesus did to provide it.

Why do we make it so hard? Why do we complicate the simple truth of God's Word? Why do we want to add to what Jesus already did for us? Paul told the Philippian jailer in Acts 16:31, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved..." Believing is all it takes, but believing takes faith. Faith and faith alone is what is required of us. So in that sense, my friend was completely right... it [salvation] is a lot simpler than measuring up to the standards of the Law.

Paul's main point here, is that God did what we could not do. When we put our faith in Him, then and only then are we justified before God. It has nothing to do with the Law. We were never able to fulfill it or even come close to it. Therefore, the Law pointed out in us, the need for a savior. When we abandon the things we do as the means of salvation and turn and put our faith in Jesus for salvation then we are justified by Him. What great news this is!

Since righteousness comes by faith alone, it leads us to ask the question, why circumcision? Paul did not keep us guessing at the answer. Circumcision was the sign of the what had taken place within the heart, therefore the physical evidence of being circumcised was a token of that change. It was a seal signifying the covenant.

Today we have a perfect example of this. During a marriage ceremony the couple exchanges wedding rings as a token of their love and devotion to each other. The rings signify that both parties are entering into a lasting covenant before God. Does wearing a wedding ring mean you are married? No, the commitment to each other and vows you took, means you are married. The ring however, is a physical identification that the person has entered into the marriage covenant. It is a symbol both, of what has taken place and it serves as a reminder of the promise made.

Circumcision is also a symbol of what takes place within the heart. Abraham was justified by faith because he believed God. Because of it, God credited Abraham with righteousness. Circumcision was the sign of the covenant between Abraham and God. It was a physical token of what took place privately.

The good news for us today is, that because Abraham had been credited with righteousness before he was circumcised, righteousness is also credited to all who believe. The scriptures say that "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." ( Romans 4:3 ). So if we have the same faith that our father Abraham had, we too are justified by it. Today, I am so glad that God remembers the details. I rejoice, that by Abrahams example, we can know for sure that we are righteous before God by faith in the blood of Jesus.

Abraham was the patriarch of the Jewish race. As patriarch, he played an important role in establishing the nation of Israel. The Jews clung to the covenant that God had established with Abraham, relying on it to be justified. Since everything could be traced back to Abraham, Paul is using him as evidence to support his amazing claim of faith in the previous verses.

The questions hanging in the air is, what good was Abrahams works? The Jews claimed that to be in right standing with God, you must be circumcised and adhere to the Law. They were relying on the token of their covenant with God as the means for salvation. However Paul just declared in Romans 3:28, that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. Paul is stating that Abraham had nothing to boast about before God. So in fact, the answer to this question is, that Abraham's works were not good enough to grant him justification in His God's sight.

If Abraham's works weren't good enough, how was Abraham justified? The same way we are, by faith. Abraham is called the Father of Many Nations because he believed God and had faith in His promises. Because of it, He had glimpses into the extent of the fulfillment of that promise. This is a simple truth but one the Jews had exchanged for a complicated system of works. Paul is reminding them that faith has always been the means of salvation. It is nothing we have done or can ever do to obtain it.

Why is this important to know? This is important because everything rests on Faith. We must know, that that it is our faith that credits righteousness to us. Otherwise, trying to obtain justification by works has the potential to launch you into a life of doing and performing with a hope that will never be realized. It won't benefit you, it will only wear you out. Faith in God's promise to you, only brings about hope and rest. Today, may you rely in what our father Abraham discovered about faith, that it is all it takes and that it pleases God in every way!

Occasionally while I am driving I will see the old bumper sticker, "No Jesus, No Peace; Know Jesus, Know peace" and it makes me smile. In the midst of this tumultuous time, many people are looking and longing for peace. However, just like the truth written on the bumper sticker, unless you know Jesus, as your Savior, peace is an elusive thing.

Previously through our study in chapter four, we see that through faith we can obtain the righteousness that God ascribes to by believing in Jesus and putting our total faith in him. Through his death and resurrection on the cross he has offered us total redemption and justification through his blood shed for us. Being justified before him, brings us to a state before God, whereby it is as if we had never sinned. This is great news because Romans 6:23 say, "for the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord" Our sin brought with it, death and separation from God, however Jesus' redemptive work on the cross paid for sin once for all as he stood in the gap for us. ( Colossians 2:13-15, Hebrews 9:28, II Corinthians 5:21 ) If our sins are paid for then it is as if we had never sinned, so being justified before God brings us peace.

The amazing thing about this verse in Romans 5:1, is that it show how incredible God grace is and how much he loves us. While we were still sinners and enemies of God because of our sin, he sent Jesus to die for us and extended the offering of peace to us. Many Christian do no understand that we are at complete peace before God. He is not angry with us, he is not mad at us, our sin is not an issue with him... the truth is, he loved us so much he did everything possible to restore us unto himself, he stopped at nothing.

Many people go through life trying to fill the void, emptiness and longing for peace with everything else but what can truly satisfy. Jesus told his disciples in the book of John, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) It was imperative that they knew how to have peace, because all around them was trouble. Jesus is called the prince of peace. So even in a world where we lack peace and trouble surrounds us at every turn, by knowing Jesus we have peace, not only heart peace, but we have peace with God because we have been justified by him.

The only way to access this peace, is by faith in Jesus. Today I pray that as you read this, you make Jesus your Lord and savior and experience true peace before him. Knowing that you are at harmony with God will also bring heart peace into your life to enjoy always. Amen!

Amazingly enough, this is a question that we should be asking ourselves regularly. ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?' In Romans 8 alone, Paul has written extensively to prove this very point. God loves us, he sent his son Jesus to die for us, he gave us the Holy Spirit to be our counselor and guide and to remind us of everything Jesus told us. In lieu of this, this question holds amazing implications for us as believers... understanding the dynamics of how God feels about you will change your life. When holding this perspective in view and weighing everything else that happens against this revelation of God's love towards you, then the rest seems unimportant. David held this perspective throughout his entire life, he wrote in the Psalms, "The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" ( Psalm 188:6 ). He penned this in the midst of turmoil and unrest. However he could write this because he knew God and knew that God loved him and in light of that, nothing else mattered.

Just as asking this question is important, so is reminding ourselves of the answer. ‘If God is for us, then who is against us?' Who can be our foe if God is on our side? Paul goes on in the next couple of verses to explain how God is the one who justified us ( Romans 8:33 ) and Jesus is the one who died for us ( Romans 8:34 ) so in reality who can bring an accusation against us. This is so important to understand. So many people miss it in life if they do not understand the extent of God's love towards them. Jude tells us to keep ourselves in the love of God ( Jude 1:21 ) because he knew that having this revelation equips the saints to be powerful in the kingdom.

It is amazing to me to know that God chose me and called me to be his child. It is amazing to know he died for me and sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for me. It is amazing to know that nothing can separate me from his love. Understanding this will empower you to overcome any obstacle you face. Understanding this will release you from the fear that keeps you in chains. David said in the Psalm, "The LORD is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?" ( Psalm 27:1 ). And in today's passage Paul asks, "What, then, shall we say in response to this?" What is there to say? This revelation leaves me speechless!

Today, I am blessed to know and understand that God loves me and nothing can or will separate me from him. Today as you celebrate Christmas with your families, may you take the time to praise God for the marvelous thing he has done by sending Jesus. Merry Christmas!

In many states, when you adopt a child a new birth certificate is issued. The adoptive parents are listed as the birth parents and the original birth certificate is sealed only to be opened again by court order. This is done so the adoption child can obtains every right that a naturally born child would possess. What an amazing thing adoption is. The good news for today, is the same is true for us as born again believers. God has adopted us into his family and we have received every right and privilege as His child.

In Romans 8, Paul has written extensively that we are God's children, testified by the Holy Spirit living within us ( Romans 8:16 ). In yesterday's passage, Paul wrote to us that God foreknew us and predestined us to be conformed to the likeness of his son ( Romans 8:29 ). Today, Paul is reminding us what that entails. As adoptive children, we have received every right and privilege that His own son has. Jesus has been glorified and seated at the right hand of the father in heaven and everything was place under his feet ( Ephesians 1:20-22 ).In the same manner, as God's children, we too share in this amazing position of authority. "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus" ( Ephesians 2:6-7 ). Not only did he determine and appoint us before hand but he called, justified and glorified us in the process.

This is an amazing truth, but not understanding who you are in Christ Jesus and what is yours by your right as his child, will keep you from experiences this. The first thing that you must understand is that through Christ Jesus you are justified before God. Justification means that it is just as if you had never sinned. Through faith in his blood you are acquitted, made righteous and put into right standing with him. Understanding this will give you confidence before God, knowing that you face no condemnation from him ( Romans 8:1 ).

Next, it is important to understand that God has glorified you. He has raised you up to a heavily dignity and you currently exist in this condition and state of being. You have received every right and privilege as his heir and you are seated far above every principality in existence ( Ephesians 1:21, Ephesians 2:6 ). Paul prayed for the Ephesians so that they would understand this truth because he knew it would empower them to fulfill God's will for their life. The same is true for us. God desires for us is to fulfill the purpose to which we have been called. Grasping this position of authority will propel you into fulfilling it because you will understand that every resource is available to you as God's heir.

Today, I pray that you spiritual eyes may be opened to understand this powerful word. I praise God that we have been foreordained, called and chosen to be God's children. I am thankful that we have already received every privilege of that association with him. Today, may you understand this truth and may it change your heart, amen.