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Today is Friday June 18, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Job, chapters 13-16. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-june-18

Today's Message: Justified by Christ or Yourself

The word justify is defined as an acquittal, to be found as just or righteous in ones actions or words, in other words, to be acquitted of any charges against them. For example, a person who had charges brought up against them and has been found to be innocent has been justified or acquitted of all charges. When one accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior, he/she is justified or acquitted of all the charges against them, meaning one no longer faces the death penalty for their sins. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23. There is another meaning for the word justify, one that many will try to ignore and that is, making excuses, in other words one trying to justify or come up with an excuse as to why they have done something wrong. For example, a person who had charges brought up against them and has been found guilty will try to justify or make an excuse as to why he/she is guilty, but it does not stop them from facing the consequences of those charges. When one has not accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, he/she is found guilty of all charges against them, meaning they will face the death penalty for their sins. They can try to justify or make excuses for their guilt, but their excuses will not keep them from facing the death penalty. It is only through Jesus that one can escape the death penalty for their sins. If Jesus were to show up right now, how would you be justified? Will you be someone who is justified by Christ or yourself?

Job was a righteous and upright man, God Himself confirmed that, however, he was now facing all kinds of affliction, it was as if he were being punished for sins he committed although he did not know what he had done. I imagine he kind of felt like many of us who are living for God and facing affliction even though we do everything we can to live righteously. He has questions, is a little confused, but he trusts that God has put him through this for a reason and never once blames God or curses Him for his affliction, even though his friends were causing even more affliction. In fact the more affliction they brought upon him the more He put his trust in God. “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him. Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears. Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.” - Job 13:15-18. It was because of the remarkable insight of Job that he expressed his confidence in a heavenly and holy all knowing God who knows our hearts. Job knew that he did not have to make excuses, He was justified by God and knew that at least He was on his side, regardless of what everyone else thought. He knew he was saved and where he was going. Every trial gives us an opportunity to draw closer to God and to become more like the person He created us to be.

This did not stop his friends from continuing to lash out at him, “Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said, Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind? Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good? Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God. For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.” - Job 15:1-5. Eliphaz was basically calling him a windbag, lying to God and everyone. However, Job knew that he had a heavenly witness that would testify that all these accusations were false. “I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all. Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you. But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.... Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.” - Job 16:2-5,19. There are just some people out there who have a lousy way of comforting people, Job knew that it would be a waste of time to argue with these men, they were not about to change their opinion of him, in fact the more he defended himself the worse they got. However, he knew he had a witness and that God would testify on his behalf.

Today, we are justified by Jesus, He goes to God and lets Him know if we have truly accepted Him and are living a righteous life. And because we have a personal relationship with Christ, all who are faithfully living for Him can say with much greater insight than Job that they too have a heavenly witness. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:26-28. God knows our hearts and witnesses our faith in Him by learning all of His Word and knowing His will for our lives.

Are you justified by Christ or yourself? Once one has accepted Christ as their Savior they are justified by Christ, acquitted, and reconciled with God. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” - Romans 5:1-5. We are not justified by our works, but through Jesus Christ. “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” - Galatians 2:16. Excuses do not cover up the fact that everyone needs Christ, Jesus is our only Mediator to God, get to Jesus and you get to God.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and weekend. Praise God it is Friday!
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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