Paul wrote a lot about being justified (Romans 2:13; 3:20, 24, 28; 4:25; 5:1, 9,16, 18; 8:30; 10:10). Usually, when writing about justification, he was contrasting being saved by faith and being saved by works of the law.  In doing so, however, he revealed the blessings of justification and the joy it should bring us.

The word justification means, “to render just or innocent” (Strong).  It is to be declared not guilty in heaven’s court.  Since we are not really innocent, to be declared such is a matter of grace on God’s part.  It is not that God has swept our sins under the rug.  His righteousness would not allow Him to do that.  What He did was send forth His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Romans 3:25 (ESV)
²⁵  Whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

This allows us to stand before God as if we have not sinned, and to enjoy being at peace with Him (Romans 5:1).  This alone should bring us a great deal of joy.  What are some of the blessings of justification and being at peace with God?

We can experience the privilege of prayer.  God does not hear the prayers of those who have ongoing sin in their lives (John 9:1).  Being justified, we have fellowship with God, one of the blessings of which is being able to approach His throne boldly (Hebrews 4:16; 10:19).

We also have access to God’s providential care.  We do not have to be overwhelmed by the cares of this world because our heavenly Fathers will provide for all our needs (Matthew 6:25-32; Philippians 4:19).  This is just what fathers do.  Would we expect less from God than we do our earthly fathers?  Jesus said we shouldn’t (Matthew 7:11).  All we have to do is put God first in our lives (Matthew 6:33), and He will do the rest.

Finally, we escape the wrath of God to come.  Paul said,  “Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God”  (Romans 5:9). It is not just what justification can give us that should bring us joy, but also what it allows us to avoid.  The wrath of God is real (Romans 2:5; Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 3:6; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 14:10).  This wrath will result in an eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Mattew 25:41).  Thank God the justified will escape it.

Every child of God should feel the joy of justification.  The blessings mentioned in this blog are just a few of the benefits that come from being acquitted by God.  All of these blessings are unearned, achieved only by the grace of God.  Paul once said, “…by the grace of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10).  This is true with all of us who have been blessed by God and His mercy.   Let us rejoice over what we have in Christ, and do what we can to help others see what they can have too, if they will only believe in Jesus and obey the gospel.     

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.