From: July 18, 2024
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1 ESV).
The apostle Paul taught the Roman believers that they had been “justified” by faith. This is the doctrine of justification. One way to remember this doctrine is the saying, “Just-as-if-I-never-sinned.” For the word “justified” means to have been declared just or righteous.
This doctrine is about our judicial position before God. Apart from Christ, we are already condemned. But in Christ, we are justified. Placing our faith in Christ, his righteousness is accounted unto us, while our sin is accounted unto Him. This is more than just clearing our criminal record of sin. It is accounting unto us the status of righteousness, reconciling us to God and making possible our adoption as sons. The Righteous Judge has not only released us from sin’s prison, but has adopted us as His very own children.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You Lord that we have been justified by our faith in Jesus. Not only is there no longer any condemnation on us, but the righteousness of Christ has been deposited in our account. This is amazing grace. And we give You thanks and praise. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: July 18, 2023
“If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—
and he will repay you!” (Proverbs 19:17 NLT).
This is an astounding proverb! God willingly makes Himself a debtor to the one who is kind and generous to the poor. Someone may hesitate to give to a poor person, but who would not lend to the Lord? Surely the One who owns the cattle on a thousand hills is able to repay and that with interest!
Remember the words of Jesus? He said, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Matt. 25:35-36).
And when the righteous asked when they had done these things for Him, He answered, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matt. 25:40).
Do you have a heart of kindness for those in need? And not only a heart, but hands that are ready to give? Are you kind and generous to the poor?
PRAYER: Dear Father, You are amazing to us. For we were impoverished under a debt of sin, but You sent Jesus to redeem us and pay our sin debt in full. He cried from the cross, “It is finished!” Which means paid in full! Thank you, Lord! Now enable us to show compassion and generosity to those that are still in poverty. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: July 18, 2022
HOPING AGAINST HOPE
When there was no physical or circumstantial reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping in God’s promise. As the KJV has it: “Who against hope believed in hope.”
What is hope? It is the feeling of expectation that a desirable outcome will take place in the future. But Abraham had more than just a positive feeling. He had hope in God. Having his hope anchored in God’s promises and God’s goodness, Abraham never stopped believing, in fact his hope and faith increased as the years went by.
There is a hope that is merely a wish. Such as “I hope it doesn’t rain today.” But Abraham’s hope was more than a wish. His hope was in God. And with God all things are possible.
PRAYER: Dear Father, our hope is in You today. All our hopes and dreams are in You. For You have given us a hope and a future through faith in Jesus. In His name we pray, amen.
From: July 18, 2016
This is the doctrine of justification. One way to remember this doctrine is the saying, “Just-as-if-I-never-sinned.” This is about God’s justice and our judicial position before Him. In Christ, we are justified. By faith, the righteousness of Christ is accounted unto us, while our sin is accounted unto Him. This is more than just clearing our criminal record and getting us out of jail. It is accounting unto us the status of righteousness, reconciling us to God and making possible our adoption as sons. The Judge has not only released us from prison, but has taken us home with Him to live in His house as family.
From: July 18, 2015
This is the doctrine of justification. One way to remember this doctrine is the saying, “Just-as-if-I-never-sinned.” This is about God’s justice and our judicial position before Him. In Christ, we are justified. By faith, the righteousness of Christ is accounted unto us, while our sin is accounted unto Him. This is more than just clearing our criminal record and getting us out of jail free. It is accounting unto us the status of righteousness, reconciling us to God and making possible our adoption as sons. The Judge has not only released us from prison, but has taken us home with Him to live in His house as family.
From: July 18, 2014
When there was no physical or circumstantial reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping in God’s promise. What is hope? It is the feeling of expectation that a desirable outcome will take place in the future. But Abraham had more than just a positive feeling. He had hope in God. Having his hope anchored in God’s promises and God’s goodness, Abraham never stopped believing, in fact his hope and faith increased as the years went by.