A Crucified Life - - Is Justified

 

    Romans 10:10

For with your heart 

you Believe and Justified, 

and with your mouth 

you Confess and are Saved.

    *Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 1343

Justified: righteousness, justice; judicial verdict

From the Greek word 'dikaiosuné' (pronounced dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay): refers to what is deemed right by the Lord after He examines a person; what receives official approval from God; divine righteousness

    Also from Strong's: "the state acceptable to God which becomes a sinner's possession through that faith by which he embraces the grace of God offered him in the expiatory death of Jesus Christ". 

JUSTIFICATION FOR ALL

    This justification is not available through other means or religions. There is only one God and there is only one way to live in heaven with Him. This verse expounds a little more clearly on what is necessary to fulfill God's desire for us to be with Him in eternity.  

    There are only two destinations after death: heaven and hell. While God created both of them,  only one destination was intended for people: heaven. But people choose to go to hell when they disbelieve God while they are alive. One must believe not only that God Is, but that God sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross and walk out of the grave, defeating death (by rising) and hell (throwing off the weight of sin). 

    Because Christ lives, those people who believe that Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son will live again, too. For we are in Christ and He is in us. Where He goes, we go. What He did, we do. What He says, we say. We form no opinions of our own unless we can back them up with the whole Word of God. 

    As this verse says, with our HEARTS we Believe and are Justified. And with our MOUTHS we Confess and are Saved. Our hearts are changed for the better when we believe that Jesus is God's only begotten Son. However, we must speak our beliefs aloud at the time we believe for the saving grace of God to take effect. 

INDIVIDUAL JUSTIFICATION

    I can pray for you. And I do. But there comes a point in every person's life when they must pray for themselves. I can talk to God about your salvation, but unless you do the same, it's not gonna happen. We all, on an individual basis, must come to the cross, see Jesus and decide for ourselves whether or not we will accept Him as the Christ, the only begotten Son of God. It's the most important decision any of us will ever make.

    Remember the centurion who came near the cross where Jesus hung. Perhaps that centurion had heard Jesus' teachings, but he surely heard the whispers and gossip of Who this Man was on the cross. He had received orders to pierce His side, to ensure that Jesus was truly dead. Which the centurion did. But he also came to the understanding that this Man hanging on the cross was the Christ, the Messiah. 

    How many of us see Jesus? Untold numbers have come to the cross with repentant hearts, seeking forgiveness for their sins and receiving it, because they believed in their hearts that Jesus died for them, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven where He is seated at God's right hand. Yet we know that our numbers are few, that only a fraction of this world's past, present and future populations have recognized their need for a Savior. 

    Many, many more, too many to number have turned their  backs on the God who created them. Turning to the darkness and embracing its secrets and evils instead of turning to the Light and embracing Its Love and Hope. 

    So we beg you, we implore you, if you have not done so already, Come to the Cross and see Jesus. Come to the Well and drink the Living Water of Life. Come to the Garden and see the empty tomb. Come to the Table and taste the Bread of Life. Let Him fill your cup with Himself and let it overflow. 

    Jesus tells us that "they who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness will be filled" in one of His most famous sermons. Have you had enough of this world's fakeness? Come to Jesus, for He is Truth. Do you find yourself hungering for something you can only find at the cross? Come nearer to see Him clearly. Come today, for there is only now: tomorrow is promised to no one. 

JUSTIFIED & SAVED

I Believe In A Hill Called Mount Calvary - Gaither Vocal Band

You Say - Lauren Daigle

God Be Merciful To Me - Jars of Clay

Near The Cross - Shirley Willis

I Found God - Ben Laine

Awe of You - CAIN

Overcomer - Eddie James

Praise God I'm Free - Various Artists

A Crucified Life - - Lives In The Righteousness of Christ

 

    Romans 10:4

For Christ is the end of the law [it leads to Him and its purpose is fulfilled in Him], for [granting] righteousness to everyone who believes [in Him as Savior]. 

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 

The End: the principal end, aim, purpose

From the Greek word 'telos' (pronounced tel'-os): reaching the end, as in a seaman's telescope, stretching out one length at a time until it reaches its full potential and fulfills its purpose. 

    The psalmist writes in Psalm 119:

     Psalm 119:144

The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting; Give me understanding, and I shall live.

    Psalm 119:138

The testimonies You have laid down are righteous and altogether faithful.

    Peter writes:

     1 Peter 1:23-25

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God. For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the Word that was proclaimed to you.

    As the law of God was righteous, so is the Living Word of God. And God gives both to us because He loves us so. We desire to live in His righteousness because we love Him in return. We are thrilled and overjoyed that God should choose to love us in such a way as sending His Son to die for us, that we might live for Him. 

    Paul writes in Romans 13:

     Romans 13:14

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

    How do we put on Christ? By believing that Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son and that He died on the cross where God placed our sins on Him; that He defeated death, hell and the grave; that He walked out of the grave and ascended into heaven where He is seated at the right hand of God. 

    Throughout the New Testament of Scripture we are instructed -- discipled -- on how to live out our faith, live a Christ-centered, Holy Spirit-filled life that honors God. That's dressing ourselves in the righteousness of Christ on a daily basis. 

    Only then will we be able to portray Christ to the world. He must first increase in us as we become more hidden in Him.

    John 3:30

"He must increase, but I must decrease.”

    Colossians 3:1-4

1) Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 

2) Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

3) For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

4) When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

5) Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.

PUTTING ON CHRIST 

I Found God

Beatitude

Defender

Unfailing

Psalm 34:1-9

You're The Best

Red Carpet 

Filled With The Light