Post by Steven C. Owensby on May 24, 2011 12:58:00 GMT -5
While reading Romans 5, I found myself drawn to the emphasis behind the word "Justified". What was it saying, meaning, and implying?
Verse 1 says:" Therefore [being] justified [by] faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
I have heard it said that the laymans term for 'Justified' means:"Just as if I have never sinned!" And according to the Strong's Concordance definition of 'justified' (1), as applied here in Romans; and in the [entire] new testament scriptures for that matter, it could very well be taken that way without being taken out of context.
However, there is a deeper implication than this. Like, just what does that mean in my [daily] walk with God in this world? Well, that's why I am doing this study. To find out.
1. Strongs NT Dict. numeric application #1344 says that :"..'dik-ah-yo'; derived from #1342 (2) means; to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent:-free, justify(-ier), be righteous."
2. #1342 says that: 'dik-ah-yos'; from #1349 (3); is defined as " equitable* (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy, (absolute or religiously):- just, meet, right(-eous)."
* 'Equitable' as defined by Websters New World College Dict.-4th Ed. says that it is and adjective:"1. Characterized by equity; fair, just: said of actions, [result] of actions {could this not be accurately applied to the 'actions' of God, as it is due to [His] actions that I'm justified? Ephesians 2:8-9;John 6:44}, etc. 2. Law (a) having to do with equity, as distinguished from common or statute law {perhaps this could be applied in the light of God's 'principle' or law, in that since He sent His Son as an Atonement for my sin and that all that believe on Him, The Lord Jesus Christ, [and] The One Whom sent Him (Jn.3:16; Rom.4:24;Is.55:11; even Mt.5:18 could be applied here, as God's Word [is] law. As it is written:" Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God!" Deut.8:3; Mt.4:4; 1Pt.1:23; Heb. 4:12).
3. SCNT#1349; "dee'-kay" could likely be applied in the sense that it appears to be referring to some thing that takes place/or is, due to what someone has done. And the only reason I could be justified in the first place would only be because of Jesus taking my sin upon Himself and taking my punishment: "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we being dead to sins should live unto righteousness: By Whose stripes we are healed." (1Pt.2:24)
As it says: "probably from #1166; right (as self evident), i.e. justice (principle, a decision, or its execution):-judgement, punish, vengeance."
#1166 merely says:" 'dike-noo'-o; a prolongerd form of an obsolete primary of the same meaning; to show (literally or figuratively):-shew" And I believe that this could be accurately applied in the sense that God justifies us that we may reveal His goodness and mercy and righteousness to others.
In other words, The Father did not save me solely for my benefit. He saved me because He loves me, sure. But He also created me for a purpose. As it is written:"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Eph.2:10 (see also 2Cor.1:3-6; Mt.5:14-16; Ps.95:7; Rom.8:36). And as He showed me my purpose some years ago (2Tim.4:5), He is expecting me to fulfill that calling-according to the grace that He has given to me.
So, now I understand that I have been justified in God's eyes; that "I have peace with God trough our Lord Jesus Christ", I feel it's time to delve a bit deeper into just what it means to be justified and how I can apply it to my daily life.
I will continue this subject of being justified in the next verse. Where it reveals that justification ties in with having "peace with God". The 'peace' in which I now have as a born again believer. I mean, it is because of the fact that I am [now] justified that I even have peace with God. So why not study what that means. I want to get to the heart of the matter, so bare with me as I continue this journey down the road of Justification.
Verse 1 says:" Therefore [being] justified [by] faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
I have heard it said that the laymans term for 'Justified' means:"Just as if I have never sinned!" And according to the Strong's Concordance definition of 'justified' (1), as applied here in Romans; and in the [entire] new testament scriptures for that matter, it could very well be taken that way without being taken out of context.
However, there is a deeper implication than this. Like, just what does that mean in my [daily] walk with God in this world? Well, that's why I am doing this study. To find out.
1. Strongs NT Dict. numeric application #1344 says that :"..'dik-ah-yo'; derived from #1342 (2) means; to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent:-free, justify(-ier), be righteous."
2. #1342 says that: 'dik-ah-yos'; from #1349 (3); is defined as " equitable* (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy, (absolute or religiously):- just, meet, right(-eous)."
* 'Equitable' as defined by Websters New World College Dict.-4th Ed. says that it is and adjective:"1. Characterized by equity; fair, just: said of actions, [result] of actions {could this not be accurately applied to the 'actions' of God, as it is due to [His] actions that I'm justified? Ephesians 2:8-9;John 6:44}, etc. 2. Law (a) having to do with equity, as distinguished from common or statute law {perhaps this could be applied in the light of God's 'principle' or law, in that since He sent His Son as an Atonement for my sin and that all that believe on Him, The Lord Jesus Christ, [and] The One Whom sent Him (Jn.3:16; Rom.4:24;Is.55:11; even Mt.5:18 could be applied here, as God's Word [is] law. As it is written:" Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God!" Deut.8:3; Mt.4:4; 1Pt.1:23; Heb. 4:12).
3. SCNT#1349; "dee'-kay" could likely be applied in the sense that it appears to be referring to some thing that takes place/or is, due to what someone has done. And the only reason I could be justified in the first place would only be because of Jesus taking my sin upon Himself and taking my punishment: "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we being dead to sins should live unto righteousness: By Whose stripes we are healed." (1Pt.2:24)
As it says: "probably from #1166; right (as self evident), i.e. justice (principle, a decision, or its execution):-judgement, punish, vengeance."
#1166 merely says:" 'dike-noo'-o; a prolongerd form of an obsolete primary of the same meaning; to show (literally or figuratively):-shew" And I believe that this could be accurately applied in the sense that God justifies us that we may reveal His goodness and mercy and righteousness to others.
In other words, The Father did not save me solely for my benefit. He saved me because He loves me, sure. But He also created me for a purpose. As it is written:"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Eph.2:10 (see also 2Cor.1:3-6; Mt.5:14-16; Ps.95:7; Rom.8:36). And as He showed me my purpose some years ago (2Tim.4:5), He is expecting me to fulfill that calling-according to the grace that He has given to me.
NOW FOR A RECAP
I have learned [what] justified means, according to the original text as revealed in the Strong's Concordance. It means to be just and holy before God. Innocent in His eyes. Righteous before His throne. And Free to worship Him in spirit and in truth.
Just meaning to be in right standing with Him. And holy meaning to be of pure heart. As in fact, I have been given a new heart-a heart of flesh. A heart for God. The heart of stone and rebellion has been removed from me. (Ps.40:2-3) As it is written:" A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a new heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgements, and do them." (Ezekiel 36:26-27. See also Jn.1:12-13; 3:5-7; 1Cor.2:12-14).
I've noticed that this is possible because of what someone has done. And for the sake of common ground, I want to simply say that I understand that I was justified "through our Lord, Jesus Christ." (Rom.5:1)
Just meaning to be in right standing with Him. And holy meaning to be of pure heart. As in fact, I have been given a new heart-a heart of flesh. A heart for God. The heart of stone and rebellion has been removed from me. (Ps.40:2-3) As it is written:" A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a new heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgements, and do them." (Ezekiel 36:26-27. See also Jn.1:12-13; 3:5-7; 1Cor.2:12-14).
I've noticed that this is possible because of what someone has done. And for the sake of common ground, I want to simply say that I understand that I was justified "through our Lord, Jesus Christ." (Rom.5:1)
So, now I understand that I have been justified in God's eyes; that "I have peace with God trough our Lord Jesus Christ", I feel it's time to delve a bit deeper into just what it means to be justified and how I can apply it to my daily life.
I will continue this subject of being justified in the next verse. Where it reveals that justification ties in with having "peace with God". The 'peace' in which I now have as a born again believer. I mean, it is because of the fact that I am [now] justified that I even have peace with God. So why not study what that means. I want to get to the heart of the matter, so bare with me as I continue this journey down the road of Justification.