CliffM

Justification is a legal term. It means to be declared righteous through Jesus Christ paying the full penalty for my sin. Romans 5:1 begins with Therfore. Any time I see that word in the scripture I have to go back to see what scriptural context was before it. In other words, I ask: Why is the therefore, there for? In this case the last two verses of chpter 4 say this "It was recorded 24 for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God." (NLT). The words of a song (I should have been crucified) sum it up very well. "I was guilty with nothing to say, and they were coming to take me away. But, then I a voice from Heaven was heard that said; Let him go take me instead"... The charge was not dismissed, instead the penalty was paid in full!! Justification is given to all. We receive it however only by placing our faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

I am Cliff, living in North Richland Hills, TX. I have read several of the 'check-in' posts and I concur, I am very pleased to be participating in this study. I was receiving the leesons since Friday 10/12 in my junk email. Unfortunately my email provider is a little too agressive with their spam filtering. Now that is taken care of. I am intrigued by this study and agree with Pastor Ralph "We do not have to sin". That power was broken when we accepted Christ. I like to see myself as a Saint who sometimes sins. Looking forward to going thru this study with all of you. Keep looking up!