I did an amazing study yesterday in The Search For Significance.
It occurred to me that many might be encouraged by some of the truths that I discovered…so I share with you some of the questions and verses and pray that God will lead anyone who does this study to His truth.
This is justification. If you want to be encouraged as I have been, look up the following passages, and ask the questions:
1. What is “justification?”
2. How is it accomplished?
3. How does it affect me now? What are the results of justification?
4. What was my condition before God before hand?
- Romans 3:9-28
- Romans 4:4-8
- Romans 5:1-11
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 <—a great one…
- 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
- Colossians 1:22
- Colossian 3:12
- Hebrews 10:14
- Hebrews 10:17
- Ephesians 2:1-3
- Titus 3:7
After studying these passages, respond to this:
According to God, I am completely forgiven and am fully pleasing to Him.
True or false? Can you support your conclusion with scripture?
When we rehearse, replay, ponder over our past sins, does it do any good? Does it do harm? What does it say to God about how I feel about what HIS word says about my past sins?
If I were to truly believe what these passages say…if I were to embrace and believe for all I am worth that God has completely forgiven me and is pleased with me, how would it affect my choice in this moment?
The upshot is, I don’t stand before God just forgiven–though that alone would be an amazing truth! It is more than just a “clean slate” a sort of “neutral standing” with God.
No…there is so much more–I stand before God as righteous…right NOW.
To me, this is where it is so clear that grace doesn’t lead to sin. It leads to my absolute gratitude for all God has chosen to make TRUE about me! I *want* to give my life and my choices to Him. I want to be obedient to what He says to do. Grace leads me to want to honor Him.
Our silent hunger will persist unsatisfied until we can see ourselves not through the eyes of the world, but through the eyes of our loving Lord. Get Thin Stay Thin, p. 102.
Lord, help us to see ourselves through your eyes, to believe what YOU say is true of us. I know that this will radically transform my life…in the moment when I make a choice…Help me to live aware of the blessings that are mine. Help each one here to do so as well. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
