You Were - Justified

Cody Burt
Matt preached a great messaged this past Sunday. I’m not sure how I could add to such a clear message which illustrated it’s not by your works but about Christ’s finished work on the cross.“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Rom. 5:1-2
As the verse clearly states, we have peace with God because we are justified by faith. Knowing that I have peace with God is extremely freeing.
As Matt mentioned, the statement that inevitably follows such a wonderful truth, “so you can do whatever you want.” The short answer is yes, but doesn’t the Bible address this as well?
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Rom. 6:1-2.
Matt called this a foolish argument, but I’m going to take it a step farther and call it arrogance. I find it quite arrogant that you can sin to the point in which Christ’s sacrifice wasn’t enough. Even more, what could you possibly do or offer that exceeds the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work? “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…” (Gal. 6:14). So even if it were possible to be justified through works, I would still prefer Christ’s finished work because it far exceeds anything I can think, imagine or do.

We have peace with God because we are justified by faith.

I’m not saying sin doesn’t have consequences. I’ve always liked the quote from O’ Brother Where Art Thou, “Even if that did put you square with the Lord, the State of Mississippi’s a little more hard-nosed.”
Ultimately, sin brings death; death to relationships, to finances, even to health. That is why it is imperative not to miss verse two of Romans 6. You are dead to sin!
I think it’s a great tactic of the enemy to keep our focus on ourselves and whether or not God accepts us. The danger of having peace with God is if I’m not distracted by trying to “get right,” it frees me up and motivates me to tell other people about the freedom I have in Christ!
Have peace in knowing that you ARE justified and tell someone about it.
Go live dangerously!

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