Titus 3:7 Justified in His grace

… that, being justified in that One’s grace, we may be becoming enjoyers, in expectation, of the allotment of life eonian.

The concept of “justification” is often equated and confused with “forgiveness.” But the differences between the two concepts are great. Forgiveness means: someone’s guilt is not charged. In justification, on the other hand, one is declared just (not guilty). So something completely different. Forgiveness means refraining from prosecution, but justification means acquittal.

God’s justification is entirely separate from our works, as Paul noted a short time before (:5). We are justified by the faith of Jesus Christ (Gal.2:16). Through His way in faith a totally new humanity and creation comes into being. And God already sees us now as we will be later: perfect and righteous! He does not see our past, but our future! The above words echo what the same apostle once taught to the Romans (3:23,24): “For all have sinned, and are wanting of the glory of God, being justified gratuitously in His grace through the deliverance which is in Christ Jesus.” As all sinned, and all fall short of the glory of God, so shall all be justified. This is not an offer but a message. No one who can do anything about this now and then. It is ‘gratuitous’ and therefore grace!

Delen: