Knowing GodSample

Justified by His Grace
by Rev. Mark Bartsch

High profile court cases have been in the national news in recent months. Two cases dealt with individuals who shot and killed other people. In one of the cases, the individual on trial was found innocent due to self-defense. In the second case, the individual was found guilty of all charges. A third case dealt with a racially motivated attack on an individual. After investigation, the attack turned out to be a hoax. The one who was attacked set up the “attack” and was found guilty.

Take note of the words in Titus 3: 7, “justified by his grace.” The word “justified” is one of the most important words in the Bible. To justify means to erase someone’s sins; to declare righteousness. If you and I were standing in God’s courtroom right now, and the prosecutor held the charges against us—the sins we have committed—in his hands, he would be led to one conclusion: “These people are guilty.”

Jesus, with nail marks in his hands and the words of grace on his lips, would then stand up as our defense attorney, and say, “These people are innocent. I have lived and died in their place. My suffering, death, and resurrection have paid the price that was due.”

Our response would be, “Thank you, Lord Jesus, from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you for making us heirs of eternal life. Thank you for taking away the guilt and the burden of our sins. Thank you for preparing a place for us in glory.”

What is our inheritance? It is the gift to live a life of thanksgiving to God every day. It is also tomorrow’s gift of eternal life with Jesus in the beauty of heaven.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, we are justified; we are declared righteous in the sight of God. This is a gift of your pure grace. Though we don’t deserve it, you smile upon us and you grant us your peace. Thank you for your willingness to come to Earth as our Savior. In your name, we pray. Amen.