Merry Christmas,
We love the lovely, or at least those who love us. Jesus loved us when we were weak (morally that is), ungodly, sinners, and enemies (see Rom. 5:6-11). We are unlovely, YET loved. What an amazing love God has demonstrated in sending His Son to redeem a great multitude of men and women. Our prayer for you is that you may rejoice this Christmas–rejoice because God has reconciled you to Himself and thus brought peace to previous enemies. This peace was made possible because of the imputed righteousness of Christ to all who believe. Let’s review the idea that we may marvel all the more:
- God justifies (declares righteous) all those who by faith (faith looks away from self and to another) trust Jesus to be their Savior.
- This justification brings peace–no more hostilities, no more enmity.
- Objective, legal, forensic peace yields unfathomable joy.
Rejoicing is grounded in rich theology. Perhaps we should step aside and allow Paul to speak for himself (as God, the Spirit, carried him along):
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2).
Do you “see it?” You cannot “see it” enough–look again.
Justified–declared righteous–by an infinitely righteous God (when we know good and well that we are not and have never been anything close to righteous)…this is NO legal fiction. God does not pretend. He treats all those who trust Jesus WITH the righteousness of Christ.
Peace–no more loud thunder from Sanai. No more condemnation from the law. No more impotency of trying to keep the law in our own strength. No more war…just peace. Peace that ensures one can see God face-to-face and not perish (Rev. 22:4).
Joy–joy in God. Joy in one day fully and completely having His righteous in actual practice and actually sharing in His glory. You were made to marvel at glory–at the Glorious ONE–so into His image you are conformed (Rom. 8:28-29) and into His glory you are transformed (2 Cor. 3:18) all that you may better behold Him.
Beloved, Rejoice! Behold Your King has come.
10,000 Blessings in The Wonderful Counselor,
Jim Fain