Daily Devotional For Sunday, March 2, 2025
It’s Sunday and time to be intentional to go with other believers and disciples of Jesus Christ to worship Him and praise Him. If you have ever been to a trial or seen any TV show centered around law, you know that in our country we have the right to be tried by a jury of our peers. The prosecution wants a guilty verdict and the defense wants a “not guilty” verdict. Everyone once in a while there may be what is called “a hung jury.” They can't get a majority of the jurors to agree either way. In rare occasions, a judge may rule an acquittal in the case.
Look at Romans 5:1-2, Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (2) through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God” (NASB). The key word here is “justified.” It is the Greek New Testament word [δικαιόω, dikaioo]. It means “to exhibit evidence of righteousness.”
To put in our terms today, “justified” means to be acquitted, to be made righteous, as if you had never sinned. It means you can stand before Almighty God without fear or shame because you have been made clean, worthy, and deserving—not because of anything you have done, but because of what Christ has done for you and your faith in Him.
When the enemy says you’re unclean, unworthy, or undeserving, remember what it means to be justified through the blood of Jesus. Remember what it means to have God on your side—forgiving you, pulling you along, and cheering for your progress. As you deepen your relationship with Him, you will find strength for today and gain confidence to face the future. Now this is not an excuse to sin. The Bible says this in Romans 6:1-2, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? (2) May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” (NASB).
In other words, one of the proofs we are saved or justified is that we no longer have a desire to sin and if we get tempted, we do not want to sin. Salvation and being justified is not a license to do whatever we want to do because we think we have our ticket to heaven. New Testament scholar Bruce B. Barton writes this:
“The Chamula culture of southern Mexico has no single word in their language for “faith.” In fact, when translators discovered a phrase to accurately convey the meaning, they crossed a major hurdle in translating the New Testament for that people group.
For the Chamulas, “faith” is taking-seriously-what-God-has-obligated-himself-to-do. Bringing their insight back into English can deepen our understanding of faith. In this way, Romans 5:1 could be paraphrased, “Therefore, since we have been justified through taking seriously what God has obligated Himself to do, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Source: Bruce B. Barton, The Life Application Bible Commentary, “Romans,” p. 98).
How would you answer this question: what is the most important emotion a person can have? Many of you might say “love.”I would like to suggest the word “relief.” Why? Romans 5:1-2 says that since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God. In other words, we have relief. We are no longer dying in our sin and on our way to hell. We are saved, redeemed and on our way to heaven. What a relief this is. Since we have peace with God, that means we are no longer in hostility towards God due to our sin and rebellion. Due to our new relationship with God, we are no longer under judgment and condemnation. What a relief this is.
Pastor and author Chuck Swindoll writes this:
“Peace with God.” There’s more relief in those three words than any other. More than the words “You are cured” to a cancer patient. More than “You are free” to a death-row inmate. And it seems the more one comprehends the danger of God’s fearsome wrath, the more one experiences the incredible relief (there’s that best of all emotions) of having peace with Him. Jesus illustrated this truth with a parable. “Peace” does not refer to inner tranquility, although that’s part of the relief we feel. “Peace” refers to our no longer being subject to God’s wrath because of sin. The death of Jesus Christ satisfied our debt of sin and set aside the resulting hostility so that God and people are no longer divided by rebellion but reconciled in peace. And the resulting relief is indescribable. Anyone who has spent his or her life trying to earn God’s pleasure or trying to accumulate enough good deeds to escape hell understands this parable better than most. The problem with trying to earn one’s way out of debt to God is that we can never know how much is enough. Ask most people, “Are you going to heaven after you die?” and most will answer, “I hope so.” Those who trust religion to save them, if they take it seriously, must remain in a constant state of terror, knowing that only death will solve the mystery of their eternal destiny and that their fate might be eternal suffering.” (Source: Charles R. Swindoll, Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Bible Commentary, Vol. 6, “Romans,” pp 115-116).”
Again, relief is the word that comes to my mind. This hope, this assurance, is the firm foundation upon which you can stand and the good news you have to share with the world. I prefer to live with the relief of knowing Jesus has justified me rather than with the terror of hoping I make it to heaven. It is my prayer that this is true for you also.
Questions To Consider
- Would you say you have peace with God? Why or why not?
- Would you say you have no doubts you are going to heaven in the future? Why or why not?
- God obligated Himself to do for us what we could not do. Have you obligated yourself to do what is necessary to receive God’s obligation to you?
- If you were to die in the next moment, do you know for sure you would immediately go to heaven? Why or why not?
Scripture To Meditate On: Romans 5:18, “So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men” (NASB).
Prayer To Pray: “Heavenly Father, help me identify with Jesus’ sacrifice and what His blood paid for more than I identify with my feelings or circumstances. May I continually apply His cleansing blood to every aspect of my life so I might walk in His victory and be an effective ambassador for Your Kingdom. Thank You that I can live in peace due to the relief You have given me through justifying me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
I love you Southside!--Pastor Kelly