September 25

Morning

He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus. — Rom 3:26 BSB

“Being justified by faith, we have peace with God.” Our conscience no longer condemns us. Judgment now rules in our favor instead of against us. We look back on our past sins with sorrow, but without fear of punishment, for Christ has paid our debt in full. God would be unjust to demand payment for a debt that has already been settled. Therefore, no soul for whom Jesus died as a substitute can ever be condemned to hell.

One of the foundational truths of our nature is the belief that God is just. At first, this truth may terrify us, but what a marvel it is that the very same belief in God’s justice becomes the source of our confidence and peace! If God is just, and I am a sinner without a substitute, I must be punished. But Jesus took my place and was punished for me. Now, if God is just, I, as a sinner standing in Christ, can never be punished. For me to suffer the punishment of the law would mean that God would have to change His nature, which is impossible. Christ has already suffered in my place, satisfying divine justice, and because of this, I can triumphantly declare, “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? Not God, for He has justified! Not Christ, for He has died and risen again.”

My hope is steadfast, not because I am holy, but because Christ died for me! My faith rests not on what I am, or what I will become, but on who Christ is, what He has done, and what He is doing for me now. In the justice of God, hope reigns supreme, like a queen riding on the lion of justice.

Evening

It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. — 1 Cor 1:30 BSB

Human intellect craves rest, and naturally seeks it apart from the Lord Jesus Christ. Educated individuals, even when they are converted, may sometimes view the simplicity of the cross of Christ with insufficient reverence. They can be tempted, like the Greeks of old, to mix human philosophy with divine revelation. This desire to intellectualize faith has led to many heresies throughout church history, such as Gnosticism, and continues to mislead many today.

No matter who you are, or how much education you have, if you belong to the Lord, you will never find true rest in a philosophy that replaces the simplicity of Christ. You may chase after various theological ideas or philosophical systems, but all these will be like chaff compared to the wheat of God's Word. Even the most profound thoughts of human reason are like the alphabet of truth and lack the certainty that is found in Christ alone.

Attempts to be satisfied with doctrines that Unitarian or liberal theologians might approve of will ultimately fail. True believers will always return to the simple yet profound truth that “Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.” This truth brings joy to the humblest of believers and satisfies even the most brilliant minds when it is received in faith. Apart from Christ, even the regenerated mind finds no rest, for “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,” and “a good understanding have all those who do His commandments.”