Raised For Our Justification

Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification. 

Romans 4:23-25 

Justification hinges upon the resurrection of Christ. They are inextricably connected. As our text points out, Christ was delivered for our offences. He was the substitutionary sacrifice Whose death was the atoning sacrifice for sins. As Paul says later, ‘Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures.’ His resurrection was the evidence that God accepted His sacrifice. Therefore, Christ’s righteous life and sin-atoning death satisfied the law of God in precept and in penalty. When God raised Him from the dead it guaranteed that His righteousness would be imputed to all who would receive it by faith in Him. Therefore, His resurrection is critical to the entire scheme of salvation. When Paul wrote his treatise on the resurrection in I Corinthians he argued forcibly that if Christ did not rise, then there is no salvation, that faith is vain, and that we are yet in our sins. He goes on to argue that Christ has risen from the dead and has defeated death and snatched victory away from the grave. This is something of which we should never lose our wonder. The resurrection of Christ guarantees our justification and our own resurrection. It has been the hope of believers since ancient days. It is our hope today. Because He lives, we shall live also.  

Our Gracious Master and our God, 
we rejoice that You have been raised for our justification. 
We praise You that You have accomplished Your redemption, 
and that the Holy Spirit will apply it. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning