This particular sermon dealt with justification. I know – big word and one we can get so used
to that we cease to really hear it. But
we need to get a grasp on the power in that term and make good use of it in our
lives
Paul writes:
Rom 8:30-31 And those whom he predestined he also called,
and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also
glorified. (31) What then shall we say to these things? If
God is for us, who can be against us?
Justification is done.
It was done on the cross and proclaimed by the words:
Joh 19:30 . . . . "It is finished," . . . .
In that majestic and horrible moment God,
2Co 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew
no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
As I listened to Alistair I thought, “this was a perfect
execution of justice in an unjust execution.”
That is, He who did not deserve this punishment took this punishment and
the punishment is done. So, Rom
8:1 There is therefore now no
condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
We must, even if we struggle, to accept that,
1Pe 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the
tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you
have been healed.
I like to say that if one is going on a journey, the most
important thing they have to know is where they are. If we have that wrong, then not maps,
compasses or anything else will be of use to us. If we enter the wrong coordinates as our
starting point, we will have a much harder time getting to our goal.
Praise God, however, that unlike a journey we make, in Him it
is a journey He takes us on. Praise God,
our skills at navigation are not necessary for He intends to get us to our
journey’s end and nothing can thwart that.
But the quality of that journey, the security of that journey is
something in which He calls us to be a part.
This is the importance of you and me standing firm on His,
“It is finished.” This is the point from
which we begin our journey, whether we begin daily, hourly or minute by
minute. To start any place else will
only get us diverted and make our journey arduous and painful.
Paul writes,
Php 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a
good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Why can Paul be so sure?
Because the beginning of that good work was our justification.
No, do not think as some do that it is “just as if I” had
died for my sins. It is not. The holy and righteous Son of God died for
our sins and our dying for them would only have gotten us to hell. You dying for your sins would be you dying in
your sins and what is the consequence of that?
You and I could never, even by our deaths, satisfy the demands of God’s
justice.
But the gracious and intentional acceptance by a holy and
righteous redeemer could and did.
And so, it is indeed finished.
And so, it is indeed begun.
Michael Sanders, Chaplain
ms@tc2v1.com
www.tc2v1.com
No comments:
Post a Comment