Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
—R OMANS 5: 1
There is a common misunderstanding about our legal system. It can not declare an accused to be innocent. He can be found to be “not guilty.” The charges against him can be determined to be substantiated or unsubstantiated. The accuser can even dismiss or withdraw the charges. The accused is still not determined to be innocent. I know personally how frustrating this is. A charge, once made, however unfounded and untrue, still hangs like a cloud.
Amazingly, the grace awarded to the person who is in Christ through faith is a treasure. Grace is as David Jeremiah says a seven fold treasure. The first and most precious treasure is a parchment on which the innocence of the accused is confirmed. This innocence exists even if the accused was guilty of the sin, which, in fact, we all were, and some still are. Whatever existed before, now there is just innocence.
It’s a declaration not only of innocence but of righteousness written in the blood of Jesus. “Justification means that the war is over. Before the cross and before the love of Christ, we were the prisoners of our own self-destructive nature. There was nothing we could do to lift the charges of guilt that lay upon our heads.”Jeremiah, David (2006-03-07). Captured by Grace: No One Is Beyond the Reach of a Loving God (p. 85). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
Through grace comes a peace that is never possible through the earthly system. An accusation, even when untrue, is forever. With Christ, even the once guilty can have the peace that comes with righteousness and justification. We are reconciled to our God. Earthly enemies stay and battles continue, but the war is won when we are right with God.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4: 6– 7).
That’s just the first treasure that comes with grace, a parchment declaring our innocence. It’s the treasure that makes all the other treasures possible. Tomorrow, a treasured key.
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