The Second Part - Article I

You can read part II Article I here. This is one of those things that is all too easy for us to take for granted. It is one of those things that we need to know well, but at the same time, must be careful that it does not become too familiar to us. Because when we allow it to become too familiar then we can lose sight of it and the significance and importance of it. "Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, died for our sins, and was raised again for our justification."  Read that one again, slowly. Because it is the most awesome, beautiful and amazing news you will ever hear. Next to this, everything else pales in comparison. Our sins are forgiven, we are justified, not because of anything that we do, or have done or will do, but we are forgiven and justified for the sake of Jesus. Now this doesn't mean that we can do whatever we want to do and we don't have to worry about it. It does mean, though that when we confess our sins, and we hear those words of forgiveness, we can know and be sure that they are real and certain. We can be sure that those sins have been removed from us as far as the East is from the West.  That is it.  End of story. 

Of course, as human beings, we like to be able to take credit for things. We like to be in control and have things be our way. It is part of our nature. We want to have our salvation be a result of the things that we do. We want to be able to take credit for it, we want to know that we are good enough in the eyes of God to deserve what he has given us. And yet, that is not the case. And it can never be the case. We are justified by grace alone through faith, this is not of our own doing, but it is the gift of God lest anyone be able to boast. If there is anything sure and certain in our lives, it is indeed that our salvation is real and sure and certain and that it comes not because of us, but for the sake of our God and our Lord, Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and was raised again so that we would be justified.

This also means that as we deal with other people, there is a certain amount of humility that is required. Because we are no better than anyone else. We have not earned our salvation and thus are able to look down on others as though we had a higher "rank" than they. But we are just as dependant on God's grace as anyone else. And so we live in that and through that. And as we deal with others we are then able to bear witness to that grace, all with the prayer that they too would be able to know this salvation and justification for the sake of Jesus. 

I pray that his salvation, justification and life would be a constant source of strength and comfort for you and in your life. 

Sincerely,

Pastor CJ