Embracing Justification: Peace, Grace, and Hope in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Peace with God Through Faith

Justification by faith is a transformative truth that brings peace with God, a peace that transcends human understanding and is not contingent upon our actions or emotions. This peace is a legal declaration of our innocence before God, made possible by the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ on the cross. It marks the end of enmity and hostility, replacing it with a harmonious relationship with our Creator. This divine peace assures believers that they are accepted and loved by God, not because of their own righteousness, but because of Christ's righteousness imputed to them.

This peace with God is not a fleeting sensation but a permanent state of being. It is an objective reality that stands regardless of life's circumstances or personal feelings. It is the foundation upon which believers can build their lives, knowing that they are not subject to divine condemnation but are embraced by God's unfailing love. The peace that comes with justification is a source of strength and comfort, especially in times of doubt or spiritual struggle. It is a reminder that salvation is not a reward for good behavior but a gift received through faith in Jesus Christ. [01:03:46]

Romans 5:1-2 (ESV)
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

Reflection:
How does understanding that your peace with God is based on Christ's work, not your own, change the way you approach your daily struggles and failures?

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Day 2: Unrestricted Access to God's Grace

The blessing of justification by faith extends beyond peace with God; it also grants believers unrestricted access to His grace. This access is not a privilege earned by human merit but a gift freely given through faith in Jesus. It allows believers to approach God with confidence and boldness, knowing that they will be received with open arms. This access to God's grace is a testament to the depth of His love and the efficacy of Christ's sacrifice on the cross.

Believers are invited to come before God as they are, without pretense or fear of judgment. This privilege of direct communication with the Almighty is a profound expression of the relationship that God desires to have with His children. It is in this space of grace that believers find the freedom to be authentic and the courage to grow in their faith. The knowledge that they can speak freely to God encourages them to share their deepest concerns, joys, and desires, fostering a deeper intimacy with their Heavenly Father. [01:08:02]

Hebrews 4:16 (ESV)
"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Reflection:
In what ways can you exercise your privilege of access to God's grace today, and how might this change your approach to prayer and worship?

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Day 3: Standing Firm in God's Unconditional Love

Standing in grace is the believer's secure position in God's love, a position that is not based on personal merit but on their identity in Christ. This standing is a place of solid footing, where believers belong by right of their union with Jesus, the rightful Heir. It is a liberating truth that frees individuals from the exhausting effort of trying to earn God's favor and instead invites them to rest in the assurance of His unconditional love.

This standing in grace is a powerful antidote to the fear of inadequacy and the relentless pursuit of self-justification. It allows believers to live with the confidence that they are fully accepted by God, not because of what they have done, but because of what Christ has done for them. In this place of grace, believers can find true rest for their souls and the strength to face life's challenges with resilience and hope. [01:08:50]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection:
How does standing in grace influence your self-perception, and what steps can you take to remind yourself of your secure position in God's love?

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Day 4: Confident Hope in Our Glorious Future

The hope of glory is a confident expectation in the believer's future, a certainty rooted in the promises of God. This hope is not wishful thinking but a secure assurance that God will fulfill His word and that believers will one day experience the fullness of His glory. It is a hope that sustains through trials and empowers living with joy, despite the uncertainties of the present world.

This hope is anchored in the person and work of Jesus Christ, ensuring that the believer's ultimate destiny is secure. It is a forward-looking perspective that shapes how believers live in the present, infusing their actions with purpose and their suffering with meaning. The hope of glory is a powerful motivator for holy living and faithful service, as it points to the eternal reward that awaits those who trust in Christ. [01:10:16]

Colossians 1:27 (ESV)
"To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

Reflection:
What practical steps can you take to cultivate a more hopeful outlook on your future, based on the assurance of glory that comes with faith in Christ?

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Day 5: Salvation Secured by the Savior's Strength

The strength of a believer's salvation lies not in their own efforts but in the unshakeable Savior, Jesus Christ. Trusting in Him means embracing a salvation that is robust and enduring, as His love and power are. This trust is the foundation of a life lived in freedom and assurance, free from the bondage of guilt and the cycle of fear-based repentance.

Salvation through Jesus is a solid rock upon which believers can stand, knowing that it will not crumble under the weight of their sins or failures. It is a salvation that withstands the test of time and the challenges of life, providing a constant source of hope and security. In Christ, believers have a Savior who is both willing and able to save completely, making their salvation as strong as His character and promises. [01:14:02]

1 Peter 1:5 (ESV)
"Who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

Reflection:
How can the knowledge that your salvation is secured by Christ's strength rather than your own efforts impact the way you live out your faith today?

Sermon Summary

In our journey through life, we often grapple with the concept of salvation and the fear of losing it. Many of us have been raised in a culture that emphasizes right behavior as the hallmark of the saved, creating a constant cycle of repentance and fear. However, today I want to liberate you from this cycle by introducing you to the blessings of justification through faith in Jesus Christ.

Justification is a legal term that signifies a declaration of innocence. It is not based on our ability to adhere to a set of rules or our performance but solely on our faith in Jesus Christ. When we are justified by faith, we are granted peace with God. This peace is not a feeling but a state of being, where hostility and enmity between us and God are removed. It is the assurance that God is for us, regardless of our sin and guilt, because our relationship with Him is anchored in Jesus' work on the cross.

Moreover, justification gives us access to God's grace. We are no longer required to maintain a respectful distance from God; instead, we are invited to approach Him boldly, with freedom of speech. This access is not earned but given as a gift through faith in Jesus. It allows us to stand in grace, a place of solid footing where we belong by right, not in ourselves but by our union with Jesus, the rightful Heir.

The third blessing of justification is the hope of glory. This is not a wishful thinking but a confident expectation that God will fulfill all His promises to us. It is the assurance that our future is secure in Christ and that one day we will experience the fullness of God's glory.

As we stand justified by faith, we are free from the necessity to strive for acceptance with God. Our salvation is as strong as our Savior. If we trust in our abilities, our salvation is fragile, but if we trust in Jesus, our salvation is strong and secure. We are not justified by works but by faith in Jesus. This faith cancels fear and delivers us from the bondage of guilt and condemnation.

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does the term "justified by faith" mean according to Romans 5:1?
How does the sermon describe the peace we have with God through justification? ([40:13])
What are the three blessings of justification mentioned in the sermon? ([01:01:06])
How does the sermon explain our access to God's grace? ([01:04:30])

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of justification by faith challenge the idea of earning salvation through good works? ([50:58])
What does it mean to have peace with God, and how does this peace affect our daily lives? ([01:03:46])
How does standing in grace change our relationship with God and our self-perception? ([01:08:50])
What is the "hope of glory," and how does it provide assurance for our future? ([01:10:16])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt you had to earn God's favor. How does understanding justification by faith change your perspective? ([50:58])
In what ways can you remind yourself daily of the peace you have with God through Jesus Christ? ([01:03:46])
How can you boldly approach God in prayer, knowing you have access to His grace? ([01:04:30])
Identify an area in your life where you struggle with guilt or condemnation. How can the truth of justification by faith help you overcome these feelings? ([49:26])
How does the hope of glory influence your outlook on current challenges and future uncertainties? ([01:10:16])
What practical steps can you take to rest in the assurance of God's unconditional love, rather than striving for acceptance? ([01:08:50])
How can you share the message of justification by faith with someone who is struggling with the fear of losing their salvation? ([01:14:02])

Sermon Clips

1) "Your salvation is as strong as your Savior. If you are trusting in your ability to abide by the code... your salvation is fragile indeed... but if you are trusting Jesus to keep you saved, your salvation is strong and secure." [50:11](Download)

2) "What puts you in right standing with God is not your works... it isn't your piety and it isn't your productivity... What puts you in right standing with God is Faith and what keeps you in right standing with God is faith." [58:27](Download)

3) "Because you believe in Jesus, because you have faith in his finished work on the cross, you have been Justified and God treats you as though you are innocent... declared you righteous by faith." [59:09](Download)

4) "Peace with God is being able to live in his presence without fear of rejection, condemnation... Peace with God sets us free from the necessity to strive to gain or to maintain our acceptance with God." [01:03:46](Download)

5) "Through Jesus we have gained an ongoing access... Before Jesus, a respectful distance must be maintained... at the death of Jesus however, the veil... was torn... declaring come on in all are welcome to draw near to God through faith in Jesus." [01:06:32](Download)

6) "Standing in Grace means you don't have to prove you are worthy of God's love... instead of spending all your time beating yourself up for not being enough, use that time to Praise Jesus for him being more than enough." [01:09:32](Download)

7) "The biblical concept of Hope is not like we have it... the biblical concept is a confident expectation something will happen because God said it will happen." [01:10:16](Download)

8) "Your past is Forgiven, your present is managed, your future is secure. This is the security of the believer... you don't have to please or appease God, Jesus has already pleased and appeased God for you." [01:13:18](Download)

9) "Justification does not mean you are perfect, it just means God sees you as though you were... you are accepted and made right before God the Father through Jesus." [54:58](Download)

10) "Without faith it is impossible to please him... Faith is the issue with God, always has been, always will be." [57:04](Download)

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