Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.
HOW DO YOU PLEAD?
Even a casual look at the world around us reveals that many live for today without any real concern about having to explain themselves to God. We know that we will have to stand before God the Judge because the Scripture says plainly that (2 Corinthians 5:10) " ... we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ ..."
"How do you plead?" Before you answer, let's review the facts of the case, shall we? We are natural born sinners. We have sinned against God and fallen completely and utterly short of His perfect demands. Based on these facts alone we should expect nothing but a "guilty" verdict.
There is no jury to be snowed under. The judge alone will hear the case and will accept facts and nothing but the truth. Even the most gifted of human lawyers won't get you off the hook by pleading: "Sir, He didn't mean it ... Your Honor, she couldn't help it ... Well, he surely isn't as bad as some." Oh, and one more thing -- the mandatory sentence for sin is eternal death.
How can we, the guilty, obtain a "not guilty" verdict? There is only one way to a "not guilty" verdict in God's courtroom and it's stated plainly in Romans 3:28 (and elsewhere): "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law."
Abraham is a fine example of God's Grace. Abraham believed God's promise of the Savior and his faith was accounted, credited to him for righteousness. God saw Abraham as righteous in His sight not because He had been by his own works or living, but because He trusted in God to keep His promise.
This isn't only meant to be a comfort to Abraham. It's also meant to be a comfort to you, and to everyone who believes in the Savior Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit has worked in your hearts so that it may also be said of you " ______ believed God and it was accounted to him/her for righteousness." Yes, you have obtained the "not guilty" verdict the only way that it can be ... by God's grace through faith in Christ.
