HAPPY TUESDAY!
Today's scriptures are about the justification of sins. What do you believe about sin? The enemy will have us believe all types of things, and will make us feel all types of ways about sin, but through Christ, every sin we commit is justified when we confess and repent. That's a reason to rejoice! God doesn't see us like the rest of the world, but He sees our heart. He knows our intentions and actions, before we even make a move, and yet He still loves us. With that absolute fact, you can defeat the enemy! Those who love Him have nothing to worry about; Jesus once said, "Because I live, you will live also" (John 14:19) He offers us salvation from the world, evil, sin, and eternal damnation, because of this one simple truth, He lives, and we live through Him!
What does it mean to be justified? The online dictionary has a “theological” definition: to declare innocent or guiltless; absolve; acquit. This pretty much sums it up, but so does this "normal" definition: to show a satisfactory reason or excuse for something done. I cannot say this enough, we're children of God and He loves us! He's willing to do anything for us, so all we have to do is love Him in return. He has given the life of His Son, so that we could be seen as innocent or guiltless. The only reason for Him to do such a thing is because He loves us, and that's satisfactory enough. We were never created to be perfect, which has never been a requirement to be a child of God.
This makes me think of King David, one of the greatest men to have ever ruled over Israel, but he was by far a perfect man. I was reading the "bible bowl the other day, which is a weekly e-mail I get, and the author pointed out the flaws of the people who God chose to do great things for Him. This was a real eye opener for me, because each person that he wrote about was a liar, adulterer, murder, drunkard, prostitute, etc., but God still used them to do great things! Things that was so great, that they made it in the Handbook for life, the Holy Bible. These people were justified by God, not because of the mistakes they'd made, but for the amount of love they had for Him.
In this story, God had appeared to Solomon, the son of King David and said: “I have heard your prayer and your supplication that you have made before Me; I have consecrated this house which you have built to put My name there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually. Now if you walk before Me as your father David walked, in integrity of heart and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and My judgments, then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, as I promised David your father, saying, ‘You shall not fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’(1 King 9:3-5) Solomon had already by justified by His father David, the one who loved God with all of his heart, and served Him until his death. Yes, David was a murderer and adulterer, but that isn't what God was judging Him on. God doesn't see us as the world sees us, but He's a forgiving and loving God. David had so much favor in God's sight, that he, his children, grandchildren, etc. were blessed.
David lived before the saving grace of Jesus Christ, so just imagine what God does for those who serve Him, and love His Son as well. Each of us have a great opportunity to be justified through Jesus Christ, but does that give us the license to freely sin? Of course it doesn't, however, God understands if we do fall short, and is quick to forgive anyone with a remorseful heart. He has promised to save ALL who ask, forgive their sins, and cast them away, as far as east is to west. He'll never throw them in our face, or withdraw our salvation because of them, as the enemy will have us think. That's the biggest weapon Satan uses on us, the guilt of sin. He's quick to tell us, "are you seriously going to pray to God after what you did today" or "remember when you... God hasn't forgotten about that, and He's angry with you". He tells us lots of lies like these, but they could be further from the truth! I don't know how many people lose their way, because of false guilt that's been placed on their heart. Okay one more time, you are justified by the Blood of Jesus Christ! Don't worry about your mishaps, because those are things of the past. Those are small compared to the love of God.
It's written: “They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him. (Malachi 3:17-18) If you're a believer in Christ, you're a precious jewel to God; all you have to do is serve Him in love. If you aren't a believer in Christ, all you have to do is believe, ask God for forgiveness, and invite Jesus into your life as Lord. You will become righteous, just because you believe in the Justifier Jesus Christ. Service will come naturally, along with trials and errors, but don’t worry, service is more important! My favorite verses today are: I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified. (Isaiah 43:25-26)
ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455440&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/today-on-radio
http://www.intouch.org/magazine/daily-devotional
I love you!
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