On What or Whom Do You Trust?

Bible Reading: (Romans 3:26) To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

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Mark told Jesse after his aunt's funeral, "I hope that when I die, I'll go to heaven."

"You don't know?" asked Jesse.

"No. But I hope my good deeds outweigh my bad ones." answered Mark.

And so the doubts, disbelief, confusion, and concern rages in the hearts of people everywhere. The reason Christ died is so that those who put their trust in Him might have no condemnation, so that they might know they are going to heaven, and so that they might rest with the knowledge that their great sin has been completely forgiven by Jesus.

The thought that Jesus is the "JUST" is a beautiful thought. He did no wrong. He is the only sinless one. The greatest lawyers could find no fault with Him. His accusers had to lie to charge Him. Of all faiths to choose from, only Christ is perfectly Just. It is no fairy tale. History bears it up. My Savior is Just! Hallelujah!!

Now, this Just One is also my JUSTIFIER. He has the right to judge my soul. He has shown the law to be of no effect. Death could not hold Him. He is greater than all, and not even sin can conquer Him. His death, burial, and resurrection are ample payment for my sin if He so chooses to accept such as justification. He has substituted Himself for Me. He has taken the place for all who believe. Satan cannot charge us, though he tries. We are justified in Christ, and Christ will not let anyone lay anything to the charge of God's elect.

My faith is no longer in some work I do, some ritual I perform, or some membership I hold. My faith is not in a gamble of whether or not my good deeds outweigh my bad. As C.H. Spurgeon puts it,

"My hope lives not because I am not a sinner, but because I am a sinner for whom Christ died; my trust is not that I am holy, but that being unholy, he is my righteousness. My faith rests not upon what I am, or shall be, or feel, or know, but in what Christ is, in what he has done, and in what he is now doing for me."

Are You a Believer? Trust Christ and Christ alone. His person, His work, and His nature are ample to save all who will trust in Him. When God says He loves us, providing such a Savior as His Son, Jesus Christ is truly a righteous love. He has backed up His love with grace. We are eternally justified and cannot become unjustified.

Bro. Greg