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            In a recent small group study on the Essentials of Faith we looked briefly at some key words that describe different aspects of our faith.  One of them is ‘justification”. I think it well worthwhile to ponder this one a little more.

Understanding this word from a spiritual perspective begins with some important words from Genesis 18:25 (ESV) Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?  In this account, Sodom has been taken over by sin and rebellion against God. Abraham is interceding on behalf of his family members but is not suggesting that God is not being just by punishing those who have sinned.  He acknowledges that fair justice must be served by a just God.  When we align this truth with another truth from Paul that we have all sinned (Romans 3:23) we understand that if God is just as per Genesis 18:25, then God is obligated to punish all who have sinned.

Now the word ‘justified’ means having a legitimate reason to take a specific action.  For example, if a hunter accidentally shoots a farmer’s cow, we can say the farmer is justified in claiming compensation for the cow.

So, God had a dilemma on his hands. He loved us dearly as his children but being a just God he is obligated to execute justice and punish sin..(The soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:20))  His great love for us compels him to forgive us, but he needed a legitimate reason to do so, while on the one hand remaining the God of justice but on the other hand being the God of forgiveness.  Enter the plan of salvation!

The apostle John writes: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son…”   and amazingly hundreds of years before Jesus came to earth the prophet Isaiah foresaw the purpose of this gift of God:  But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.  Isaiah 53.

So our Lord comes and bears the punishment for all our sins. They were all laid on him.  Beating and death followed.  Punishment was completed!  Justice was served!  God has been both just and has a legitimate reason to justify a different course of action, that action to be forgiveness for those who admit their sin, express genuine remorse, and believe by faith that Jesus did in fact completely pay their penalty.

Pastor Dave