A Goodness Not Our Own

Read Romans 10:9-11.

In the first century, Paul wrote that “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing” (1 Corinthians 1:18). All these many years later, the world still views the cross of Jesus Christ as absolute foolishness. Without the light of the Holy Spirit to open spiritual eyes, Jesus’ sacrifice just doesn’t make sense. But we glory in the Truth: Jesus was the very Son of God, who came to pay the wages of sin for the whole world. Laying down His life, Jesus made atonement for our sins and redeemed us by His blood, breaking the chains of sin. And as though that weren’t enough, His death accomplished even more.

On the cross, Jesus justified those who would believe in Him. That means that when God looks on us, He doesn’t see our sins and shortcomings; He sees the perfect obedience of His Son. Justification is more than forgiveness, which is overlooking a wrongdoing. It does not mean amnesty—for that is a pardon without principle. Rather, justification is an act of generous and gracious justice.

When we come to the Lord, confessing our sins and asking for forgiveness, He doesn’t say, “Oh, no, you’re not that bad. Of course you’re forgiven!” The court of heaven says, “Guilty as charged.” God never minimizes sin. But because Jesus died on the cross, God can also say, “My Son has paid for your crimes.” That is why faith and grace are inseparable. Faith has only one function: It receives what grace puts in its hand. Grace gives, and faith stretches the hand and says, “Thank You. I gratefully receive this gift.”

Jesus also reconciled us to the Father. The Bible declares that we were God’s enemies (see Romans 5:10). But because Jesus has met all the Father’s demands on our behalf, we can have peace with God. We enter His presence freely, just as Jesus did. God the Father reconciled us to Himself through His Son; it was His plan from the beginning. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

You cannot be reconciled to God the Father without God the Son (see John 10:30, 14:6-10). And He has done it all—He has atoned for our sins, ransomed us from slavery to sin, justified us before the Father, and reconciled us to God so that we are His children.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for all that Your sacrifice has secured for me. I rejoice that I can approach God’s throne freely, trusting in the power of Your blood to make me clean before Him. It is my joy to live my life for You—my Good Shepherd. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.