NT Promise 49: Justified by Christ

Acts 13:39 By him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Paul preaches the Gospel of Christ to the synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia. The Law cannot justify you, because as a born sinner you will not obey it perfectly. The Law is good and it would give you a good life if you could keep it. Following the Law of God as given by Moses would make one righteous, and righteousness we must have if we are to live in God’s Presence forever.

By the Law comes the knowledge of sin, guilt, damnation, and judgment. But by the Gospel comes the gift of the righteousness of God, earned for us by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This justification is received by faith, which is also a gift worked in us by the Spirit.

Justification means to be considered just, right, holy, perfect, and righteous in God’s eyes. He sees Jesus in us. Faith sees Jesus and receives Jesus. ”Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Justification means ”just-if-I’d” never sinned. Faith sees what God sees.

The promise is: we are justified ”from all things,” that is, from guilt and shame, from excuses and self-justification, from death and hell, and from the power and lies of Satan. We cannot free ourselves from these things, no matter how ”good” a life we live. Jesus sets us free. Repent, believe, and be justified.