HE PAID IN FULL FOR EVERYBODY
Therefore let it be known to you, brethren that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins (Acts 13:38 NKJV).
The word “forgiveness” in the verse above is more accurately translated “remission,” meaning the removal of sins. The ensuing verse 39 NKJV says, “and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the Law of Moses.” What does it mean to be justified?
It means to be declared righteous, to be declared not guilty. Through Jesus Christ, we’ve been acquitted of all accusations. You’ve been absolved of all guilt; no charges against you. It’s for the same reason that the Bible says there’s therefore now no judgement or condemnation for the one who’s in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
Consider this: if you owed me some money, and someone else came and paid the debt for you, I would cancel the debt because it was paid on your behalf. The person who paid didn’t owe me anything; you were the one who owed me, but he came and settled your debt. Now, would it be right for me to claim that you still owe me? Of course not! Even though you didn’t pay by yourself, someone else came and paid for you. The moment he paid, you became free.
In the same way, when Jesus paid for our sins, God cancelled the debt and said, “You’re justified!” What does that mean? It means you’ve been discharged and acquitted; no charges against you. So, when we preach the Gospel, we tell the world, “You don’t have to struggle to be righteous; you don’t have to struggle to qualify for God’s blessings; all you need is to embrace what Jesus has done.
Accept His redemptive sacrifice in your behalf and stay in Him. Everything He did was for you. He was wounded for you; He died for you; He was buried for you. He went to hell for you so that you don’t have to go to hell. He was raised from the dead for you, with a new life. Now that you’re born again, you have the same life with which He was raised from the dead. Walk in the consciousness of this new life: “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
PRAYER
Righteous Father, I thank you for the sacrifice of Jesus in my behalf by which I’ve been made righteous. I walk in and manifest your righteousness. I’m washed, sanctified, glorified and justified, walking in newness of life and in the light of my righteousness in Christ. Hallelujah!
FURTHER STUDY:
Romans 3:21-28, Romans 5:12-17
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-18 & Isaiah 59-60
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Hebrews 6:11-20 & Ezekiel 8-9
