God’s Grace in Romans | His Resurrection Our Justification |
We saw from our last discussion that the Abrahamic hope which produces results is that which is received from the word of God and not just a mere wish for things. That Abraham was fully persuaded that what God spoke he was able to perform.
Then we hear the apostle continue;
And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Romans 4:22
Observe carefully the word “therefore” from the above verse signifying conclusion drawn from the preceding discussion.
In context, prior to this conclusion, God made a promise to a man — who was completely unqualified, his body dead and that of his wife — yet he believed in the righteousness of God.
He believed that God who spoke was gracious, kind and merciful, self-sufficient and overwhelmingly powerful to do what he had promised, and God said, for putting faith in my goodness, faithfulness, righteousness and power, I declare you righteous even though you are unqualified.
This is how Abraham was accepted as a righteous man before God. His persuasion didn’t come from anything but in the abilities of God.
He only exercised unqualified faith in who God is and what he was able to do irrespective of his physical wretchedness. And God was so pleased with Abraham and called him his friend.
Then we hear:
Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; Romans 4:23
This great work of God in the life of Abraham was a pattern for all. God does not respect persons (Romans 2:11). If he accepted Abraham only by faith then all men are justified by faith alone and not by their works.
For we hear;
But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Romans 4:24
Just as with Abraham, once we believe in Christ righteousness is credited to our accounts despite our insufficiencies.
Many of us have not realized that we are dead outside of Christ therefore we are trying with all we can to perform so we can be justified by our performance.
The story of Abraham gives us a powerful picture of our condition before God, he was dead in his body, we are dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:1).
The target of our faith is to believe that as God raised Abraham’s body from the dead through faith, even so by our faith in Christ God imputes righteousness to us and raises us up to enjoy the righteousness of Christ.
He has already accomplished our salvation. Our sins, our death he paid the price with his body and life. And it’s very shocking to hear what the next verse says…
Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Romans 4:25
Observe carefully this statement “and was raised again for our justification”.
Jesus died for our offences and upon full satisfaction of the penalty and the requirements for our righteousness he was authorized by God to be raised from the dead.
This means without full satisfaction of divine justice he wouldn’t have been raised to glory. And if we were not declared righteous by his work he wouldn’t have been glorified.
“who was betrayed and crucified because of our sins, and was raised [from the dead] because of our justification [our acquittal—absolving us of all sin before God].” — Rom 4:25 AMP
That he is raised to life today is because all requirements for our justification are met. The justice of God is completely satisfied and we were — already declared righteous before he was raised to life.
To know that the reason why Christ is alive in glory today is because we are already justified, declared righteous before God overwhelms my heart with joy. It reveals how much God loves and values us.
Confession
My heavenly Father loves me. I’m loved and valued. I am worth the death of the prince of life, the king of kings, the son of God because God loves me.
Today I am justified. All my offences, sicknesses, and sorrows were carried upon the body of my saviour.
I have passed from death to life, from sickness to health, from sin to righteousness, from poverty to wealth, for I dwell in Christ. Hallelujah!
Prophetic Insight
In an encounter with the Lord, I heard “Hear me child, my definition of success is different from the world. Many measure success by the abundance of things but I see success as relationship with me and doing what I ask you to do.
As long as you follow me, you are in the blessing, and I am with you in all you do, hence, you are a prosperous child.
You have a different destination, your forwardness may look slow but it’s because you are on a different course of life, therefore, be content, for I am well pleased with you.”
And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man, and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. Genesis 39:2
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Jahfas Victor Ahua
Living Hill Christian Church