9. Justified by Faith
Romans 3:28, 30 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law….Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith and the uncircumcision through faith.
The promise that we are justified by faith is basic to our whole life, not just to Christian theology, but also to daily life. Taking hold of this promise and living every moment as one justified by faith makes every minute better. Living by faith and thereby being just is better than living by public appearance and worried about good behavior; the one who lives by faith is always aware of God’s love and acceptance and good pleasure. Living with this kind of confidence is better than constantly “trying to be good.” Living by faith is enjoying life as it comes instead of stressing about present circumstances and worrying about what might happen.
If I know I am justified by faith I know who I am and where I am going; I know that God is for me and nothing can be against me; I know He gave me His Son and He will with Him give me all things; I know that God justifies and no one can condemn. If I know I am justified by faith I know all things work together for good and nothing evil can permanently touch me.
If I know I am justified by faith I can be certain that nothing in me can prevent the Lord from doing good to me, that is, I am not lacking any good work, any prayer, any particular confession, any purity of life, or anything I didn’t do good enough that can keep God away from me; I know that nothing can separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus my Lord. I also know that I do not have to be concerned about what others think about me, because I know what God thinks about me.
Believing in complete justification and total acceptance changes me internally and changes my desires. Justification creates holy desires and also gives the ability to actually do the good works, which God prepared beforehand. I can do the good works and love people more easily by focusing on Jesus Christ and His Gospel rather than by striving and struggling against my sinful and selfish nature in the flesh. The promise of justification by faith changes life for the better.
And this one God justifies both Jews and non-Jews and, by extension, all the different kinds of people in the world. And so I know I am included in the promise, no matter what is my pre-existing condition.