Justification

God’s declaration that our relationship with God has been made right because of the work of Jesus.
(via Lutheran Basics for Teachers)

Romans 5:1-2

¹Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.

Seeking justification

In the film Chariots of Fire, there’s one of the characters, he’s a runner, he’s an athlete, he’s an Olympic runner and he’s going for the gold in the hundred yard dash, and when somebody says, “why are you working so hard? why are you training so hard?”, he says, “when that gun goes off, I have 10 seconds to justify my existence.”  Here’s what he is saying: “I want to know that I am justified being here, I want to know that my life is worth something, I want to know that my life counts, I want to know that I’m a person worthy to be known and accepted and the way I’m doing that… the way I’m convincing myself and other people that my existence is justified is that I’m going to be a runner.” And of course, you know how the movie goes. The gold medal he wins is his justification. It’s not just a gold medal, it’s not just cheering, it’s his justification. It makes him feel validated, worthy, accepted… So that’s why we (feel) we need it and Paul says there is a solution. It is possible through the gospel to end the struggle for righteousness, validation, worth and acceptability.
What is it? It’s free justification.

• Tim Keller, Sermon excerpt from “Justified by faith” (2009)

Reflection & Prayer

What sort of “peace” do you receive knowing that you don’t have to justify yourself based on your performance of achievement?