“Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).
Pastor Kenward asked the congregation, “How many know what Romans 3:23 teaches us?” Many hands, if not most hands, were raised. “Very good,” the Pastor said with a smile on his face. “Now let me ask, how many know what the very next verse teaches us? What does Romans 3:24 teach?” The people looked a little sheepish as they looked at each other and then back to the Pastor. Only one or two reluctantly raised their hands. “Church family,” the Pastor said, “it is wonderful to know about Romans 3:23. But it is so wonderful to know that 3:24 is a wonderful promise. By His grace we are justified through the redemption in Christ Jesus. You cannot earn it. You do not deserve it. You cannot purchase it. You can’t do anything on your own to be justified. It is through His grace. Then in Romans 5:1 we learn that ‘Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ We have so much for which to be thankful,” the tenderhearted Pastor reminded his church family. Aren’t you thrilled for the wonderful justification and redemption you have experienced in Christ Jesus?
For today: What a wonderful place that every believer occupies. His grace is awesome.