The Search for Significance

46 The Search For Significance
GOD'S ANSWER: JUSTIFICATION
If we base our self-worth on our ability to meet
standards, we will try to compensate by either
avoiding risks or trying to succeed no matter what
the cost. Either way, failure looms as a constant
enemy. But God has set us free from the fear of
failure! He has given us a secure self-worth totally
apart from our ability to perform. We have been
justified, placed in right standing before God
through Christ's death on the cross to pay for our
sins. But God didn't stop with our forgiveness; He
also granted us the very righteousness of Christ!
(II Corinthians 5:21)
Visualize two ledgers. On one ledger is a list
all of your sins. On the other ledger is a list of the
righteousness of Christ. Now exchange your ledger
for Christ's. This exemplifies justification —
transferring our sin to Christ and His righteousness
to us. II Corinthians 5:21 says,
"He made Him (Christ) who knew no
sin to become sin on our behalf, that we
might become the righteousness of Cod in
Him."
Once I heard a radio preacher berate his congregation
for their hidden sins. He exclaimed,
"Don't you know that someday you're going to die
and God is going to flash all your sins upon a giant
screen in heaven for all the world to see?"
How tragically this minister misunderstood God's
gracious gift of justification! Justification carries
no guilt with it, and it has no memory of past
transgressions. Christ paid for all our sins at the
cross — past, present, and future. Hebrews 10:17
says, "And their sins and their lawless deeds I will
remember no more. m
We are completely forgiven by
God!
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