Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
What the Bible teaches about "justification" is clear as sunlight, but "the little horn" of Daniel's prophecies has sought to confuse this truth. It had been God's intention that "the faith of Jesus" should lighten the earth with glory. But the great "falling away" (apostasy) that Paul predicted in 2 Thessalonians 2 (based on Daniel!) was the work of "the man of sin" (vss. 3-7). He has stirred up debate and confusion about "justification." These have darkened this glorious truth for many sincere people. (Maybe you, too!)
The New English Bibleaptly defines that word "justification" as simply God's "verdict of acquittal" (Rom. 5:16). Our enemy, Satan, condemns us in God's law court; he himself is shut out of heaven, and charges that we should be, too. But God steps in and vindicates, "acquits" us, as though we had never sinned. Now He can send His rain and sunshine on all alike as though we were innocent. He gives "all men" this "free gift ... resulting in justification of life" (Rom. 5:18; Matt. 5:45). But how can the Father pronounce this "acquittal" that Satan hates? Is it fair? Muslims say, "No!" But what's the Bible answer?
The Son of God has become "the second Adam," the new corporate Head of our human race, has taken all our guilt upon Himself ("the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all," Isa. 53:6), accepted our condemnation, died our second death both "for us" and "as us," and thus has "acquitted" us. We are "justified by His blood," says Paul (Rom. 5:9), which was shed at the cross of Jesus. Six times Paul says the "acquittal" is a "gift" given to "all men." "Many" reject the "gift," throw it away, "sell the birthright." But if you clasp it to your heart, cherish it, keep it, appreciate it, that is, "believe"--you cannot be lost.
--Robert J. Wieland
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: March 8, 2005.
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