Justified and Free
“Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.” — Romans 5:18 (ESV)
There’s something powerful about knowing your story has been rewritten. In Romans 5, Paul explains that while one man’s sin—Adam’s—brought condemnation to all of us, one man’s obedience—Jesus’—has brought life and freedom to everyone who believes.
Justification is more than a legal term; it’s a spiritual reality. It means that through Jesus, you have been declared “not guilty.” The condemnation that hovered over your life because of sin has been removed. You’re no longer living under the weight of guilt or striving to be accepted by God through your performance.
This freedom, however, is not permission to continue in sin—it is empowerment to walk in righteousness. As Paul explains, righteousness is not earned by our ability to follow rules but received through Jesus’ perfect obedience. He fulfilled the law we could never keep, and in doing so, gave us access to grace.
John Newton, the author of the beloved hymn Amazing Grace, understood this. After years of partaking in the horrors of the slave trade, his life was transformed by God’s mercy during a storm at sea. That one encounter convinced him that grace could reach even him—a self-proclaimed wretch.
Maybe you’ve lived under the heavy burden of your past—mistakes, sins, regrets. Maybe you still find yourself trying to “earn” your way back to God. But the message of the gospel is this: Jesus already made the way. By one act of obedience, you are justified and declared free.
Reflection:
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the obedience of Jesus that has justified me. I confess that I often try to earn Your love, forgetting that I’m already free. Help me walk in the truth that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Let Your grace lead me into a life of thankfulness and holiness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture References:
Romans 5:18-19
Romans 8:1-2
Galatians 5:1
“Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.” — Romans 5:18 (ESV)
There’s something powerful about knowing your story has been rewritten. In Romans 5, Paul explains that while one man’s sin—Adam’s—brought condemnation to all of us, one man’s obedience—Jesus’—has brought life and freedom to everyone who believes.
Justification is more than a legal term; it’s a spiritual reality. It means that through Jesus, you have been declared “not guilty.” The condemnation that hovered over your life because of sin has been removed. You’re no longer living under the weight of guilt or striving to be accepted by God through your performance.
This freedom, however, is not permission to continue in sin—it is empowerment to walk in righteousness. As Paul explains, righteousness is not earned by our ability to follow rules but received through Jesus’ perfect obedience. He fulfilled the law we could never keep, and in doing so, gave us access to grace.
John Newton, the author of the beloved hymn Amazing Grace, understood this. After years of partaking in the horrors of the slave trade, his life was transformed by God’s mercy during a storm at sea. That one encounter convinced him that grace could reach even him—a self-proclaimed wretch.
Maybe you’ve lived under the heavy burden of your past—mistakes, sins, regrets. Maybe you still find yourself trying to “earn” your way back to God. But the message of the gospel is this: Jesus already made the way. By one act of obedience, you are justified and declared free.
Reflection:
- Are you still trying to earn God’s love and approval, or are you resting in the finished work of Jesus?
- How does knowing you're justified affect the way you live?
- What guilt do you need to release today, knowing Jesus paid it all?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the obedience of Jesus that has justified me. I confess that I often try to earn Your love, forgetting that I’m already free. Help me walk in the truth that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Let Your grace lead me into a life of thankfulness and holiness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture References:
Romans 5:18-19
Romans 8:1-2
Galatians 5:1
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