Thank You Mr. Large

For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13, 14 (New American Standard Bible)


My eighth grade teacher, Mr. Large, was always seeking to stretch his student’s views. I recall many conversations he had with our class that encouraged us to think and to answer his questions. His favorite retort to most of our answers was, “I’ll give it to you if you can justify it.” It became our mantra to one another. “Hey Tony, they’re serving turkey and dressing in the cafeteria.” “Oh yeah? I don’t believe it. I’ll give it to you if you can justify it.”

To justify means to show to be just or right. The word ‘justification’ is a two-dollar word which ought to be worth a million bucks to every believer in Christ. What does it mean to be justified through faith? When I finally understood it it was an astounding concept. When I began believing it it unchained my heart. It is a judicial act by God to believers through the meritorious work of Christ where God declares the sinner pardoned from sin, released from its penalty and re-established to a right relationship with Him. The four essentials are release from a demand for justice; we ought to have suffered for our sins but God no longer requires punishment; return to favor; we are just not forgiven but now have God’s total approval; imputed righteousness; God gives the believer the quality and righteousness of Christ and new legal standing before God; instead of being under the condemnation of sin he/she stands before God in Christ.

Speaking honestly, all these years I’ve had a difficult time believing it as it sounded way too easy to me. All I need to do is believe on the finished work of Christ on the cross and I get forgiven, pardoned and restored to favor? My interaction with other humans has taught me my trespasses and mistakes stick to me like glue. Most people don’t pardon and restore like that, why should a holy God? Outside of the blood redemption of His dear Son there is no abundant life or relationship with God. He pardons and restores because of what His Son accomplished during His first human intervention 2000 years ago. What do I need to do? Nothin’. What can I do? Believe and rest in the fact that God has me covered. There is no downside. He doesn’t have to give it to me if I can justify it. You see, Christ already has.

Ken

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