Self-Justification

Sunday’s Monday

This week has been fast and furious! Projects are going very well, I still have an overload but with God’s guidance I’m knocking them off one at a time. Attended a great Brother Night Meeting, message was spot on and the fellowship was priceless. Enjoyed delivering frozen meals for Meals on Wheels this week. This is always a treat for me and I thank God for my ability to serve, as well as each senior I get to serve!

I attended a meeting this week where the speaker expounded on salvation and sanctification which fueled my spirit for thought. As I pondered on the subject and how a number of Christians say a prayer to receive one and live without seeking the other. Now, for those who read my writing, you know my mind works in mysterious ways and can’t always stay on task. My pondering led me to the ridiculous idea that Jesus lovers have re-define God’s word for personal preference. I remembered hearing a speaker tell a joke that for the punch line stated, it’s ok to lie in that situation. Which flipped a switch in my thinking! I found four gifts, justification, salvation, sanctification and glorification and I believe they come in that order. This speakers focus was on sanctification but during my thought I found justification to be a root cause of lax. Today’s Christian and most churches have re-defined justification into a self-serving escape for the accountability of guilt. I found in www.dictionary.com the first definition of justification as a noun is, #1- a reason, fact, circumstance, or explanation that justifies or defends (clearly a world view through clarity) and then the forth, #4- Also called justification by faith. Theology. the act of God whereby humankind is made or accounted just, or free from guilt or penalty of sin (direct biblical view). The bible explains in, Romans 5:1 (AMP), 5 Therefore, since we have been justified [that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith, [let us grasp the fact that] we have peace with God [and the joy of reconciliation with Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed). I seldom use the Amplified version, but this needs to be broken down to its simplest form! We as humans can justify everything we do and make ourselves believe that all is well in earth and heaven. We have become masters at justifying, even though the truth is, “there has only ever been justifier and that is Jesus who died the horrible death of crucifixion and was raised from the grave, to give justification to those who answer the call of faith in Him. When I think of all those time that God nudged me to do something and I didn’t for whatever justified reason, I find shame. If I’m doing something outside the will of God or I am not doing what God ask, there is no justiciable explanation and I have no peace. I believe Justification as most use it, is a strong tool for Satan, allowing us to excuse our weaknesses rather than bring them before the throng of God for resolution. God tells us in Romans 5:15-17 (AMP), 15 But the free gift [of God] is not like the trespass [because the gift of grace overwhelms the fall of man]. For if many died by one man’s trespass [Adam’s sin], much more [abundantly] did God’s grace and the gift [that comes] by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, overflow to [benefit] the many. 16 Nor is the gift [of grace] like that which came through the one who sinned. For on the one hand the judgment [following the sin] resulted from one trespass and brought condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift resulted from many trespasses and brought justification [the release from sin’s penalty for those who believe]. 17 For if by the trespass of the one (Adam), death reigned through the one (Adam), much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in [eternal] life through the One, Jesus Christ. I can honestly admit that this will change my attitude toward justification and concentrated my focus on sanctification and glorification. My desire is to become like Jesus and I intend to be in constant thankfulness for His justification of my sin and my call into salvation! I see the insanity of self-justification and thank God for what He’s done!

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!

COMMENTS WELCOME…pal249@hotmail.com…09/23/2018