Divine Justice

By David J. Stewart
February 2009 | Updated December 2016

“...And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” —1st John 2:1

       You are in trouble with the Law—God's Law. All humanity is sinful in God's eyes, because we've all broken God's Laws. Romans 3:19 states: “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” The word “guilty” in Romans 3:19 means “having lost one's case in court.” God's Law indicts (formally charges) mankind for having violated God's holy Law. God has declared all mankind “guilty,” and has thus declared the death penalty for those found guilty, to suffer eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire (Romans 6:23; Revelation 21:8; 2nd Thessalonians 1:8-9).

Note: All Scriptures are quoted from the precious King James Bible.

Thankfully, Jesus offers to be our Advocate (Defense Attorney) . . . “And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” The word “advocate” comes from the Greek word parakletos and means “an intercessor.” Hence, Jesus Christ is our defense attorney who intercedes for us in God's divine court. This is only made possible by the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ (1st Peter 1:18,19). Jesus (the Son of God) shed His physical blood for our sins at Calvary, to pay for our sins, thus enabling God the Father (the Prosecutor) to forgive our sins. All that God requires is that we come by way of the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation (John 14:6). There is no other hope of salvation (Acts 4:10-12). If we do not accept God's gift of salvation, then we are summoned to stand trial at The Great White Throne of Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). The lost will be judged according to their works (Revelation 20:13).

It is wrong to think of salvation as a plea agreement; because a plea agreement is still a conviction, where a lesser sentence is imposed upon the accused. There is NO CONDEMNATION in Christ Jesus . . .

Romans 8:1-3, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.”

Some people misunderstand Romans 8:1, not knowing what walking “after the spirit” means. Please read...

What Does “after the Spirit” Mean?

If any sinner (no matter how vile or wicked) acknowledges that they are as vile as God has declared them to be in His holy Word; and that sinner turns by faith to the Lord Jesus Christ to be forgiven; believing that He is the Christ, the Son of God (Who DIED on the cross for our sins, was BURIED and bodily RAISED UP three days later), then God will save that person immediately and forever. We are the SINNERS and Jesus is the SAVIOR. It's that simple! God will not save anyone who is trying to be saved, He will only save those who are trusting to be saved. Salvation is not doing your best, it is having Christ's best put to your account through receiving Him by faith.

At the time of salvation, Christ's righteousness is then imputed (charged) to that person . . .

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works” (Romans 4:5-6)

If we admit our guilty condition as a needy sinner, and believe (rely) upon Jesus Christ for forgiveness, then God the Father justifies us on the basis of Christ's blood sacrifice and sets us free from the curse of the Law. God dismisses our case. Amen!

“It is often said that Christ died for us, but the main thing was that Christ died FOR GOD in order that God could accept us back, for Christ and Christ alone satisfied the righteous and holy demands of God!”

SOURCE: Dr. Jack Hyles, from the excellent book titled, MEET THE HOLY SPIRIT, chapter 29

And may I say, Jesus doesn't forgive sin. That is correct! Jesus has already paid for our sins with His precious blood. Therefore, eternal life and forgiveness of sins are free gifts, which simply need to be received by faith to obtain. God can read our minds. The very moment that a person receives Christ's sacrifice on the cross as payment for their sins, believing that Jesus died, was buried, and physically raised up three days later, God sees that faith in the Gospel and saves that person immediately! Hallelujah!!!

There's a judgment coming, but you have the choice to settle out of court!

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