Justification

-"But now, irrespective of law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus."-Romans 3: 21-26

Over the coming 4 weeks, we are going to study an important section of Paul's letter to the church in Rome. This section will deal with the issue of Justification.  What is Justification, you ask yourself?  Well, classically it is the understanding of the means through which we are saved.  But recently there has been some debate over just exactly what Paul means when he talks about Justification.  Does he mean the personal salvation of an individual through faith in Jesus Christ, as has been the classic interpretation, or does he mean the process by which God saves humanity through the extension of the covenant?  This is the issue. 

Don't worry, you are not going to get 4 lectures on Justification over the coming month in worship.  But we will deal with this important doctrine and see what it means for us, for the Church, and for our theology.  For your devotional time this morning, I hope you will read this passage from Romans a couple of times, and reflect on what Paul is saying.  No matter how we interpret the doctrine of Justification itself, the core truth of it remains unchanged, that we are all sinners in need of the grace of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Oh that we may know this truth in our lives.

Prayer:  Holy God, I am in need of your grace, and I thank you for sending Christ into the world for me.  Help me to understand his life and death and resurrection, that I might better understand myself and You.  I pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.

[Phillip Blackburn, First Presbyterian Church]