Free Justification: Embracing God's Gift of Righteousness

Devotional

Day 1: Righteousness as a Divine Gift

The concept of righteousness as a gift from God is transformative. It shifts the focus from human efforts to divine grace. In a world where validation often comes from achievements, the gospel offers a radical alternative: a righteousness that is not earned but given through faith in Jesus Christ. This divine righteousness ends the struggle for validation and acceptance, offering a new identity in Christ. It is a profound reminder that our worth is not tied to our performance but is rooted in God's love and grace. [06:48]

"For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it." (Romans 3:20-21, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you seeking validation through achievements? How can you begin to embrace the gift of righteousness that God offers through faith in Christ today?

Day 2: Justification Beyond Forgiveness

Justification in the Christian faith is more than mere forgiveness; it is the bestowal of a new status, granting believers access to God's love and presence. This concept challenges the notion that being pardoned is the ultimate goal. Instead, it emphasizes being welcomed into a relationship with God, where one is not only forgiven but also embraced as a beloved child. This transformative truth invites believers to live in the reality of God's love, moving beyond guilt and shame to a place of acceptance and belonging. [19:31]

"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." (Romans 5:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding justification as more than forgiveness change your view of your relationship with God? What steps can you take to live more fully in the reality of God's love and acceptance?

Day 3: Repenting of False Justifications

Becoming a Christian involves repenting not only of sins but also of false justifications. This means shifting trust from personal achievements to the righteousness of Christ, which transforms identity and purpose. It is a call to recognize the futility of self-reliance and to embrace the sufficiency of Christ's work. This repentance is not just about turning away from wrongdoing but also about turning towards a new way of living, rooted in the grace and truth of the gospel. [32:40]

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: What false justifications have you been relying on for your sense of worth and identity? How can you begin to shift your trust to the righteousness of Christ today?

Day 4: The Unique Gospel

The Christian gospel is unique in offering a righteousness apart from the law. It presents a counterintuitive message that challenges natural inclinations and offers a transformative relationship with God. This gospel invites believers to experience a righteousness that is not based on human effort but on divine grace. It is a call to embrace a new way of living, where one's identity and worth are found in Christ alone. This unique message of the gospel is a source of hope and freedom for all who believe. [36:37]

"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." (Romans 10:4, ESV)

Reflection: How does the uniqueness of the gospel challenge your natural inclinations and beliefs? What steps can you take to embrace the transformative relationship with God that the gospel offers?

Day 5: Living in True Freedom

Understanding free justification leads to true freedom, freeing believers from anxiety and the need for self-validation. It allows them to live out of love for God and others, rather than fear or selfish motives. This freedom is not about doing whatever one pleases but about living in the fullness of God's grace and truth. It is an invitation to experience the joy and peace that come from knowing one's identity and worth are secure in Christ. [27:58]

"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways are you still seeking self-validation? How can you begin to live in the true freedom that comes from understanding your justification in Christ?

Sermon Summary

In our exploration of Romans 3:21-28, we delve into the profound concept of free justification through faith in Jesus Christ. This passage reveals a righteousness from God that is distinct from the law, a righteousness that is accessible to all who believe. It underscores the universal human condition: all have sinned and fall short of God's glory, yet are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. This justification is not based on our performance or adherence to the law but is a gift of grace, demonstrating God's justice and love.

The idea of righteousness as a "validating performance record" is central to understanding our relationship with God. In life, we often seek validation through our achievements, whether in our careers, academics, or personal lives. This pursuit mirrors the way many approach spirituality, believing that a moral record can earn divine acceptance. However, the gospel presents a radical departure from this mindset. It offers a divine righteousness, a perfect record, as a gift, ending our struggle for validation and acceptance.

This free justification is more than mere forgiveness; it is the bestowal of a new status, granting us access to God's love and presence. It is not about moral goodness or self-improvement but about receiving Christ's righteousness. This transformative truth challenges us to shift our trust from our own efforts to the finished work of Christ. It calls us to repent not only of our sins but also of our false justifications and to embrace the righteousness that comes from God.

Key Takeaways

1. Righteousness as a Gift: The righteousness from God is a gift, not earned by our performance but given through faith in Jesus Christ. This divine righteousness ends our struggle for validation and acceptance, offering us a new identity in Christ. [06:48]
2. Beyond Forgiveness: Justification is more than forgiveness; it is a positive bestowal of status, granting us access to God's love and presence. It is not merely about being pardoned but about being welcomed into a relationship with God. [19:31]
3. Repenting of False Justifications: Becoming a Christian involves repenting not only of sins but also of false justifications. We must shift our trust from our own achievements to the righteousness of Christ, which transforms our identity and purpose. [32:40]
4. The Unique Gospel: The Christian gospel is unique in offering a righteousness apart from the law. It is a counterintuitive message that challenges our natural inclinations and offers a transformative relationship with God. [36:37]
5. Living in True Freedom: Understanding free justification leads to true freedom, freeing us from anxiety and the need for self-validation. It allows us to live out of love for God and others, rather than fear or selfish motives. [27:58]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:14] - Scripture Reading: Romans 3:21-28
[01:16] - The Story Arc of the Bible
[02:17] - Three Key Phrases
[03:28] - Free Justification: Why We Need It
[04:14] - Righteousness as a Validating Record
[06:30] - A Unique Spirituality
[08:15] - Everyone Seeks Righteousness
[10:22] - Justification in Everyday Life
[13:25] - The Struggle for Righteousness
[17:42] - The Solution: Free Justification
[19:02] - More Than Forgiveness
[23:54] - Justification vs. Moral Goodness
[29:36] - Breaking the Cycle
[36:37] - A Righteousness Apart from the Law

Sermon Clips

But now a righteousness from God apart from the law has been made known, to which the law and the prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. [00:00:14]

Righteousness is a validating performance record which opens doors. It's a validating performance record which opens doors. So, for example, you want a job, you get out a resume. That resume is your vocational record. It should have all your accomplishments and experiences, and if you want a job, you take it to the employer or whoever you have to apply to, and it's your validating performance record. [00:04:14]

But now, for the first time in history, and by the way, may I add the last time in history, an absolutely unheard of spirituality, an absolutely totally unheard of approach to God has been revealed. What he says, there's not just a good record or a great record, but a Divine righteousness, a perfect record, and it is available as a gift. [00:06:30]

Everybody is seeking righteousness. Now, here's the way to understand that better is the word righteousness and the word justification in this text are actually the same Greek word. You know, in English, righteousness and to be justified is one thing, to be righteous is a very another thing, but it's actually the same concept. [00:08:15]

Justification is more than forgiveness; it is a positive bestowal of status, granting us access to God's love and presence. It is not merely about being pardoned but about being welcomed into a relationship with God. Forgiveness is you may go, I'm not going to punish you, but justification is you may come, and you are welcome into all my love and presence. [00:19:02]

The righteousness of God is a performance record. Well, what did God ever do for us? He came to Earth, and not only that, something happened even before. One of the most amazing passages in the Bible, and I don't understand it, and that's why I like it, because it seems like there's infinite depths behind it. [00:21:12]

If you think your good deeds are good, if you think your unselfish Good Deeds are good, they're no good. In other words, if you think they're good and therefore God owes you something, then they're not good by definition. They're not good by your own definition. Your selflessness is really selfishness. [00:28:54]

If you think your good deeds are good, they're no good, but if you think your good deeds are absolutely worthless and you're saved by grace, that makes your Deeds good. So if you think they're good, they're no good. If you think they're no good, they're good. They start to get good because you see when you realize they're worthless. [00:29:36]

What makes you a Christian is not so much that you repent of your sins. You should repent of your sins, but that could just make you just another Pharisee or just another person that cycle. No, what makes you a Christian is you repent of your justification, your false justification, your false righteousness. [00:32:40]

If you want to become a Christian, you've got to say these aren't just my children, these are my justification. This is not just my wealth or my career, it's my justification, and therefore you will not be impervious to the slings and arrows of Outrageous Fortune. But when he looked to Jesus Christ not just as his forgiveness but as his crown and as his glory and as his righteousness, he was able to handle anything. [00:35:00]

We thank you, Lord God, that this gospel is so counterintuitive. It is so different, but now for the first time and the last time in history, a righteousness is revealed apart from the law, and we ask that everybody hearing this message would see what that means for him or her. [00:36:37]

For all those of us who believe in free justification with our head but it hasn't really worked into our hearts, so we're still Bound in shallows and miseries, we're still anxious, we're still angry, we're still running scared, I pray that the gospel would change our lives absolutely thoroughly, not just relate us to you but transform every aspect of Our Lives. [00:37:00]

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