Legal Declaration

“Justified” is a legal declaration used in court rooms. When someone is justified, they are cleared of all criminal charges against them and are no longer in danger of the punishment that would have followed.

In this sense, Jesus’ resurrection is as vital for our salvation as His death… “He was delivered to death for (because of) our trespasses and was raised again for (because of) our justification” (Romans 4:25). Jesus’ resurrection proves the payment of His blood for our sins was accepted. He was raised again BECAUSE OF our justification. He is our Living Receipt that our sins are paid in full and gone forever.

Without Christ’s resurrection, the transaction for our redemption would not have been complete. Heaven’s Court is satisfied. The Holy Gavel has declared us redeemed, and God wants us to grasp the earth-shaking greatness of this victory. Now, because our sins are gone, we are given the promise of exemption from the coming Judgment on this world… “Being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him” (Romans 5:9). 

Oh, the joy of resting our faith in His finished work of salvation, while awaiting the rescue of His return!

(Devotional by Lisa Cataford)