Justified Or Making Excuses?

Acts 13 : 38 - 39, Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man (Jesus) is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. NKJV

Thank God for Jesus Christ! Can you begin to imagine what life was like for the Jewish people who were under the law? God didn't give the law so that the children of Israel could be justified by their works. It was given to make them aware of the sin hidden in their hearts. If a person doesn't understand the ways of God, they might misinterpret what God's motive was when He gave Moses His Law.

God didn't give the Law to condemn people; it was just the opposite. However, through the Law of God, man became conscious of his own sin nature. They began to realize that with their failure to obey the entire law, they were, in fact, committing sin against God. Consequently, the result of breaking God's commands caused the Jews to feel naked, ashamed, and exposed. 

 Once the Jewish worshiper realized his or her own shortcomings, it would give way to the voice of guilt, shame and condemnation from Satan. You might be thinking, "Why did God want them to feel guilty or hear condemning voices?" Paul tells us that God's law is holy, and He is just. It wasn't the law that made the Jewish worshipers feel the way they did, but rather it was the sin which was hidden in their hearts that condemned them. God gave Moses His commandments in the hope that once the people realized they were in sin, they would turn to the Lord for salvation from it. 

When Jesus came as the Messiah to God's chosen people, some accepted Him; however, many more rejected His truth. Those who rejected His teachings as truth didn't want to admit to having sin in their hearts. Therefore, in an effort to avoid falling under the convicting power of God after hearing the truth, these non-believers chose to make excuses to cover their sin.

Today, as Christians, we can try to justify ourselves by making up excuses, or we can become justified through faith in Jesus and God's Word. As you seek to be justified by faith, if Satan begins to accuse you, all you need is to point to the Word of God and let God defend your character in Christ. Anyone who rejects the righteousness of God by faith will fall into the trap of blaming the consequences of their sin on others... as Adam did with Eve. Since it's just you and God right now, be honest with yourself. Are you at peace in your heart about your life? Do you make excuses to God and to people when you know that you have done wrong? If so, then humble your heart before the Lord and ask Him to be your Justifier. It will change your life forever.

Justified by Faith in Christ,

Pastor Asa Dockery