I am amazed by the people in my community who do not seek to be justified before the law. It can begin with a very minor incident that can end up being a terrific problem for them. I know of a person who got a minor traffic ticket and was summoned to court. When that happens, a person can pay the fine before time, or go to court. At court, a plea can be made before the Judge who will say “guilty”; or “not guilty.” Whether a person pays the fine or walks out of court acquitted, they are justified before the law of the community. The person that I am thinking of decided that it was not important to seek justification and thought that they could forget the whole thing. Of course, a bench warrant with a bond was issued, which the offender also ignored. Inevitably, the person was stopped on a minor traffic offense, arrested and released on another summons to appear. Ignoring this ticket, another warrant and additional bond was issued. It went on like this for a long time, until a fifteen-dollar ticket became a liability to the law of several thousand dollars, growing to a fine that the person had no way to pay. It is like that trying to be justified before God. We are sinners who need to be justified but we find that the “fine” is more that we can ever pay. The more that we try to ignore the need of it, the greater the condemnation and judgment. Jesus provided the payment for our sins to those who will repent and trust in Him.
“He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”Titus 3:5-7 (NASB)
Each of us will give account of our lives before God. We have no defense of our own to take before the Judge of the Universe. We are guilty as charged and we have not the ability to pay the fine or present any atoning deed to Him. Paul tells us by faith in Jesus we can receive a pardon. Those of you who are used to saying something in church like “Amen” or “Hallelujah” could say something like that right now. I think I will. Hallelujah! Praise God!
A prayer to share:
“Father in heaven, Jesus paid it all. I owe everything to Him. Sin had left an ugly stain but now I am white as snow. The indictment against me has been removed. I have been acquitted, freely pardoned! Thank you so much Lord. Thank you for sending Jesus. Thank you for His faithfulness. Thank you for His sacrifice so that I may be justified before You. Hallelujah, I am saved! Amen.”