It Is God That Justifieth

Romans 8:33  •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 7
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If God justifies, how ineffable must our state be in His eyes (that is, in truth)! He cannot approve or justify but according to His own nature and being. His approbation must be according to what He approves. What a state for us to be in—in Christ! that God not only pardons our sins but justifies us! No doubt those whom He justifies are ungodly in themselves (Rom. 4-5); but His justification is the seal of His absolute approval of what they are according to what He is. What an infinitely perfect place to be in! It is God that justifies—that justifies according to the unalterable judgment of His nature: This is true even as regards our sins, for He is just by reason of Christ's work in doing it. But how much more as in Christ, where it is the positive approbation of us in our place! And in fact not only has He perfectly set evil aside, but glorified God so as to have this place as man, and us in Him.
Further, there are difficulties, trials, dangers in the way, death, the high and holy place so far removed, Satan's power against us. First, as to difficulties and trials, we more than conquer. It is the very path of blessing and honor: there Christ trod; there His power and mind are with us. Take all on high moreover, or in the depth: angels or powers, all are creatures—creature power or creature weakness. They cannot separate us from the love of God: this is more, more sure, more strong, than any creature; yet it is in Him Who, as man, has met for us all of hostile power and death in the way, and is on high for us. It is the love of God, the sureness of divine love, and that in Christ our Lord, Who has been through all, and is now on high for us. This secures us against all and through all for glory.