“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified”. – Galatians 2:16
LIGHT FOR NOW: At salvation where you placed faith in Christ, you received justification as a free gift of grace.
In verse 20, 24, 26 and 30 of Romans 3, Paul has this to say: “Verse 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin Verse 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus Verse 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Verse 26 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith”. God doesn’t justify works; he justifies faith, and this is not an afterthought. Justification is only by faith. It is the character of God that man is justified by faith. Romans 4:2 “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God”. Trying to be justified by works is futility with God. He justifies the ungodly. Who called Abraham ungodly? Not God; he doesn’t find fault. It was the law that labeled him ungodly.
Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”. This is the original plan, not an afterthought. Romans 8:30 “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified”. He justifies by faith. It is the law that lays a charge. Paul is making a distinction between the law and God. Romans 8:33 “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth”. So, righteousness through the law can not be the same as the righteousness of God. God has never placed any demand on man to be perfect. It is a wrong notion to say that God only bought justification when man didn’t meet the standards he set. It’s not true! The law justified by works while God justified by faith. Glory!
INSTRUCTION: Know your realities.
CONFESSION: I have a right standing with God; therefore, I have boldness and confidence to approach him always, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
QUOTE: The born-again man has a right standing with God.
DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: ROMANS CHAPTER 3; EVENING: 2CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 5
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 