Dial Daily Bread

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread":

There need be no confusion or perplexity about the meaning of
justification by faith. It's a simple matter to go to the original
language the apostle used when writing his soul-stirring words in
Romans: "justification" is the same word he used for "righteousness."
That opens up a world of understanding. When Paul speaks of
justification by faith he means righteousness by faith--in other words,

right living by faith. Justification by faith is worlds beyond a
verbal, legal pronouncement of acquittal from guilt which makes no
change in a person's heart and character.

The legal pronouncement was made when Christ cried out at His
crucifixion, "It is finished!" He had completed the work the Father had
given Him to do (John 17:4). He had earned His title, "The Saviour of
the world" (John 4:42), "The Lord [had] laid on Him the iniquity of us
all" (Isa. 53:6). He had now proven His role to be the new Head of the
human race, the second Adam. He had died the second death of "every
man" (Heb. 2:9), paid the final penalty for every sin of humanity.

That is why Christ in a purely legal sense pronounces the "judicial . .. verdict of acquittal" on "all men" (Rom. 5:15-18; compare NEB). But
justification by faith is conversion, a change of heart, an experience
of reconciliation to God. And since no one can be reconciled to God
unless he is also reconciled to God's holy law, justification by faith
means a new life of obedience to God’s law, not motivated by fear but
by love (agape). Love is the most severe taskmaster in the universe,
but in the light of the cross of Christ, the most reasonable because it
leads to self being crucified with Christ.

Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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