”Be a good little boy (or girl),” we are apt to say. The problem is, even the best of children cannot be truly good. The purpose of the Law is to both to teach us what we should be and that we cannot be that. Many do not want to be good, but those effectually called (“Effectual Calling”) will persist in a desire to be good owing to the enabling indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This pushes them to Christ (Galatians 3:24) who is able to make them right. Justify is “1To demonstrate or prove to be just, right, or valid. 2To free (a human) of the guilt and penalty attached to grievous sin.” (1) Since no man or woman can prove him/herself just or right before God, the justification must come from without. “Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies.” (Romans 8:33) What we cannot do, God graciously does.
But how does He justify undeniable sinners? Does He merely overlook the sin and the guilt of the sinner? No, the price was paid in Christ’s death, and a glorious transfer is made. “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) Without this transfer from Christ to us, God would in fact be unjust. With the transfer, His righteousness is demonstrated “so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:26) Trust Jesus Christ who alone can remove the source of your guilt, which is sin, and justify you in the eyes of God.
Justification is so great and gracious, but the goodness of God shines even brighter. What if I pulled someone out of a muddy ditch, cleaned them up, clothed him in clean garments, and then said, “I’ve cleaned you up. Now be on your way and have a good life.” I might even provide him with some food, a little starter money, and a place to live. But where is his sense of belonging, source of counsel, provision of friendship and mentorship? As a part of justifying the sinner, God adopts him into His spiritual family where He is his Eternal Father and other believers are his eternal and temporal, spiritual brothers and sisters. Emotional and spiritual belonging and provision are secured. He is not a cleaned-up orphan but a provisioned, protected, and purpose driven son of his Heavenly Father.
Oh, I give glory to God for justifying this sinner and adopting him into His family. I am blessed beyond understanding even as I seek to understand and pursue the God-given purpose in it all.
Question 37: What is justification?
Answer: Justification is an act of God’s free grace, by which he pardons all our sins, and accepts us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
Romans 3:24, 5:19; Ephesians 1:7; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9; Galatians 2:16
Question 38: What is adoption?
Answer: Adoption is an act of God’s free grace, by which we are received into the company of God’s children and have a right to all the privileges of his sons.
1 John 3:1; John 1:12; Romans 8:16-17
- “The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
CreatorWorship 
Moving Forward
Posted in Assurance, Civil Debate, Consequences, Cultural commentary, Faith, General, God Thoughts, Gospel, Implications, Sermon, Society, tagged bible, Blessed, Blessedness, Charlie Kirk, christianity, Faith, God, Jesus, Persecution, Results of Persecution, Sermon on the Mount on September 17, 2025| Leave a Comment »
I avoid political comment or commentary on this blog, but Charlie Kirk’s death is not primarily or most essentially a political assassination. His was a death (1) for his faith and the boldness with which he proclaimed the truth of God’s Word and power of Christ to save those who will turn from their wickedness to trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross and in His resurrection. This past Sunday, my pastor preached on how the Beatitudes of Matthew 5 apply to this and other situations of persecution. You can hear the sermon at “The True Meaning of the Blessed Life”. Without fully reviewing or summarizing the sermon, I want to point out three ideas that he communicated about the text, Matthew 5:1-12.
Firstly, he pointed out that the word “blessed” that Jesus spoke to His Jewish hearers would be understood to mean a “spiritual well-being growing out of a close relationship with God resulting in a happiness and settled nature in the recipient.” This is not prosperity gospel; it is peace and joy in knowing God.
Secondly, verses 3-9 about what blessedness looks like will result in verses 10-12, persecution. I add that Paul said, “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2) Therefore, Peter explains that since you do not do their sinful deeds, “In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you.” (3) On the other hand, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.” (4). Persecution for doing what is right is to be expected.
Lastly, my pastor began listing some of the benefits of persecution even in the face of its horrors and difficulty. He seemed to have perhaps four or five items on his list, but he went on to list many more from which I made the following list:
Persecution brings
In all of these encouragements I have realized another most obvious result which Peter says most clearly, “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” (4) The reason for the 16 things above in the life of individuals and the Church is the presence of God. I do not desire persecution to come, but God will bless us as believers when it does- all glory be to Him. May God give us zeal through the loss of this brother in Christ to raise up many more like him, bold to proclaim truth.
Read Full Post »