5 Gifts Jesus Secured on the Cross by David MathisSample

Gift 2: Justification

To Extend God’s Full Acceptance

Romans 5:9 says, “We have now been justified by his blood.”

“Justified” is courtroom language. The prosecution and the defense each present their case, and the judge or jury makes a declaration. The defendant is either guilty as charged or declared to be in right standing with the law: righteous. Justified.

The reason why those who are united to Jesus by faith are justified is owing, in part, to his sacrificial and substitutionary death. He willingly shed His own blood, not for his own sin—he had none—but for ours.

When we are joined to Him by faith, our sins are covered by the spilling of his blood, so we are no longer judged guilty, and his perfect obedience is counted as our own, so we are now declared righteous. Without his blood, our unrighteousness would remain unaddressed. With it, we can stand and receive with him his Father’s declaration, “Righteous.”

Prayer

Is there something you continually try to justify yourself about? Pause today to remember you are righteous because of Christ alone, and rest in his justifying work.