New Creation Path Devotional: Lord and Savior of Justification

Romans 8:31–39 (NIV)

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?   Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.   Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.   Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?   As it is written:

'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.'

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.   For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Paul’s letter to the Christian church in Rome (not the Roman Catholic Church, this was long before its time) has been said to be the most theological of any book in the Bible. I love this book. Many have come after it; using logic, facts, common sense, and detailed explanations to explore the meaning of why Christ is in the world. And yet, we cannot truly know Him without first surrendering ourselves.  That is our logic, our opinions of what God is like, what God will do, and who Jesus really is.

Romans lays out the purpose of the Law God gave to the Israelites through Moses thousands of years earlier. The Law condemns; it points out where we fall short. The Law judges us. Just like a human judge is supposed to enforce the law, so will God.

Paul clearly states how the Law has lost its power over those who make Jesus their Lord and Savior. Jesus fulfilled the Law.

Some people put more emphasis on Jesus being a Savior and lessen His Lordship. This lessens the threat of judgment. It also diminishes the seriousness of obedience, and ultimately, it lessens who He really is. Jesus is God. He’s not one of many paths to God, nor is He one of many gods. He and the Father are one. He said it multiple times, this isn’t my opinion.

On the other hand, some emphasize Jesus as Lord or King more than they do as Savior. This might help us toe the line, but it risks removing the personal relationship that’s vital to believing He truly cares. It can make His love feel distant.

We must hold on to Him both as Lord and Savior.  I believe in that order.

Paul goes to great lengths in this letter to show that we cannot uphold the Law. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” He also goes to great lengths to show us that Salvation (our Justification) is completely a gift from God.

What is Justification?

I can’t begin to unpack it the way numerous theologians have over the years, but I can say this:

Justification is God’s act of removing the guilt and penalty of sin while at the same time declaring a sinner righteous through Christ’s atoning sacrifice.

What many Christians refer to as “Salvation” is what Scripture defines as “Justification.” And again, who justifies, according to this passage? God. It is clearly stated. Not works. Not perfect obedience to the Law (as if anyone but God Himself could do that).

And even more amazing, Paul clearly states that God did this for sinners. That means people who are guilty and deserving of punishment.

Read the Old Testament and Revelation, and you’ll see that God’s punishment is not something anyone would want to endure. But “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

That’s like saying, “While you were found guilty of the most grievous crime, the judge behind the robe and gavel took your punishment upon Himself to free you from it.”

And where is the One who did this for you? He is the Christian’s intercessor. Your only mediator to God. He makes you spotless before God. He is Christ Jesus!

How could anyone say no to this?

Because some have been led to believe that Jesus is condemning. They believe this because Christians can be very condemning. They say this because they misunderstand true Christianity, often because they don’t go to the source (the Bible), but instead judge Christ by those who claim to follow Him yet spread a very different message.

Sometimes the wrong message is clearly taught by leaders of certain groups. Sometimes it’s modeled by the actions of those who say, “But I’m a Christian.” Sometimes it’s the outright hypocrisy of those who claim to follow Jesus while doing things that oppose everything He taught. Most often it’s done by a combination of ignorance and insecurities.

I could go on and on. The point is: go to the source.

Go to the Bible. The answers are clear to those who seek them.

My prayer:

Father God, I pray with all earnestness for those who think they know You but rarely, if ever, seek You in Your Word. I pray the lies taught through hypocrisy, condemnation, judgment, and outright false teaching by false churches will be exposed to those who are searching for You. I pray for those who are mixing Jesus together with worldly teachings will quickly and abruptly see the truth through Your Word.

Life is short, and the end for any person is never known.

Please help those being misled before it’s too late.

I pray this in Jesus’ name,

Amen.