Justified

Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. 

Romans 8:30 

‘Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein He pardons all our sins, and accepts us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.’ When we discuss the order of salvation, justification lies at the heart of it. It does so because of Christ. Earlier in Romans, Paul had written at length on the subject. Justification means God sees us robed in the righteousness of Christ. He has imputed our sin to Christ and His righteousness to us. This is the grand transaction. It is what enables God to accept us. It is an act that once done needs never to be repeated. Once God has justified us, He accepts us as being as righteous in the eyes of His law as Christ Himself. We can never be more justified, or less. Thus, we live in the light of justifying grace. Once Martin Luther understood justification by faith it liberated him from attempting to work his way into God’s favor by his rigorous works. Justification is important to our understanding of our standing before God, our acceptance by God, and our relation to Christ. This is a liberating truth. It frees us from the bondage of works righteousness. Whom God has called He justifies. Our standing is wholly upon the merits of Christ.  

Our Gracious and Almighty God, 
we rejoice in Your justifying grace. 
We praise You that You accept us in Christ.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning