Divine Justice

By David J. Stewart

“...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 this Scripture, teaching that a person must walk in the Spirit to be saved; but the Apostle Paul wasn't mandating a requirement to be saved here. The Scriptures plainly state that there is no condemnation to the believer in Jesus Christ. Paul's mention of walking in the Spirit in Romans 8:1 is purely descriptive, of what a believer should be doing; rather than a demand. This is evidenced by Galatians 5:25 . . .

Galatians 5:25, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

In Galatians 5:25 we learn that it is possible for a believer to LIVE in God's Spirit; without WALKING in God's Spirit. This was the situation with the carnal church at Corinth (1st Corinthians 3:1). A simple study of the Greek meaning of the words “walk” and “live” in Romans 8:1 and Galatians 5:25 settles the matter. Each word has a different meaning. The Greek meaning of Galatians 5:25 is that those who live in God's Spirit should also conform or march in God's Spirit. This speaks of how a Christian ought to behave. Every believer should yield to the Holy Spirit, Who guides us with the Word of God (Psalm 119:105; John 5:39; 1st Peter 2:2).

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; then God will save that person. We are the SINNERS, and Jesus is the SAVIOR. It's that simple.

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 are willing to admit our guilt of sin, and believe on 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. 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

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