30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 18 9-14 The journey of humility 12 Relishing the truth of justification
📖 Luke 18:9-14
20Sep2020 - *Relishing the truth of justification* - _Luke 18:9-14_ - THE JOURNEY OF HUMILITY 12 – Bible reading: _Ephesians 2:8-10_
_Luke 18:13-14 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' (14) I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."_
We saw that as justified people we are sent out by the Lord into our world, which will oppose the whole idea of brokenness and humility as the basis for our justification before God. Man wants to justify himself before God by his good deeds. This is the contrast between the Pharisee and the tax collector.
Let us always remain as the tax collector, humble and broken before God, receiving His justification.
Let us take a day to relish God’s justification. This is what Isaiah prophesied. _Isaiah 53:10-11 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. (11) He shall see the labour of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities._
God bruised Jesus and put Him to grief. The soul of Jesus was made an offering for our sin. It is through Jesus that the pleasures of God are made available to us. It is in knowing Jesus that many will be justified, for He has borne our iniquities.
Apostle Paul connects it for us, post the cross. _II Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him._
_Galatians 2:16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified._
_Romans 4:5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,_
Faith in God is not a theory. It is not a philosophical ideology. Faith in God is demonstrative. Faith in God changes us in our action, words, thoughts and in our entire character. This is why we must appreciate the interface between faith and works. _James 2:17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (9) not of works, lest anyone should boast. (10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them._
We will be people of faith and people of action, simultaneously. This must be our identity. Our life that is lived out must confirm to the world around us that we are people of faith in Jesus.
God affirms that He justifies us as we live out a life of faith. _Romans 8:33-34 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. (34) Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us._
*Thought to ponder*
```What glorious liberty to live out a life of faith in Jesus!```