from Gary Hamrick
... Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Chapel
for
Justified by Faith
... Christ alone is our righteousness, and all who trust in Him are fully accepted before God.
Romans 5:1 NKJV (devotion translation)
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Devotion:
Today's Scripture reminds us that our right standing with God is founded entirely upon what Christ has done for us.
The opening chapters of Romans present a sobering reality. Every person stands guilty before a holy God because all have sinned and fallen short of His perfect standard. Scripture leaves no room for self-righteousness or confidence in our own goodness. We may compare ourselves with others and believe that we measure up reasonably well, but God's standard is not other people. His standard is His own holiness.
Yet Romans does not leave us in despair. After revealing humanity's need, Paul turns to the glorious good news of the gospel. God, in His love and mercy, provided what we could never provide for ourselves. Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, took upon Himself the judgment our sins deserved. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, He satisfied the righteous demands of God's justice and opened the way for sinners to be reconciled to God.
This salvation is received by faith, not earned through religious effort or good works. Abraham himself was declared righteous because he believed God, long before the law was given. In the same way, we are justified when we place our trust in Christ alone. Good works have their proper place in the Christian life, but they are the fruit of salvation, not the basis of it. We obey God because we have been saved, not in order to be saved.
The gospel calls us to rest in Christ's finished work. We need not strive to earn God's favor, for His grace is freely given to all who believe.
Consider today whether your confidence rests in your own efforts or in the sufficiency of Jesus Christ.
Prayer:
Father, thank You that salvation is a gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Keep me from trusting in my own righteousness and teach me to rest fully in the finished work of Your Son. Help me walk in grateful obedience as one who has been redeemed. Amen.
Digging Deeper:
- Genesis 15:6 ↗ - Abraham was counted righteous because he believed God.
- Ephesians 2:8-9 ↗ - Salvation is received by grace through faith, not by works.
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 ↗ - Christ took our sin upon Himself so that we might receive His righteousness.
- Galatians 2:16 ↗ - A person is justified through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of the law.
- Titus 3:5-7 ↗ - Salvation comes through God’s mercy, resulting in justification by His grace.