387 -- Just As If I'd....

February 16 (2/16) in Godsfield -- Galatians 2:16

(For Better or Verse: Each day in 2025 I will begin this Godsfield e-mail with a Bible verse that corresponds with the month (chapter 1-12) and day (verse 1-31) it is sent. This month features a lot of second chapters! Those with eyes and ears, let them see and hear.)

Galatians 2:16 ...know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

That word, justified, has a peculiar ring to it; because I do not use it often, except to justify my actions, that is, to explain why I did what I did. We justify expenses, and comments and mistakes, too often with excuses under interrogation (even though it may just be someone asking an innocent question).

I try to justify dumb ideas, comment, actions, even when I know they are dumb, because I don't want to feel dumb, even though it's only dumb if I refuse to acknowledge its dumbness or say something even dumber to make it appear less dumb.

How dumb!

But, being justified by faith, which is the best, coolest, most miraculous use of the word justified, is exactly what we need. Our expense or debt ledger is justified by trusting Jesus at His word, and action.

As Billy Graham like to say, "Being justified means, it is 'just as if I'd" never sinned.

It doesn't get any better than that. And that's an eternally better.

Love ya,

Paul