"HOW CAN MAN BE JUST BEFORE A HOLY GOD?" This vital question has challenged thinking men through the ages. Man by nature is without righteousness; he is chargeable with many crimes; he is found guilty and condemned by God's holy law; he has no excuse to make. Before God he is speechless. But the Lord who is our Judge has devised a way by which He can be just and yet justify us. It is the way of grace. He justifies or acquits us from all charges, pronounces us righteous, accepts us, and admits us into His favour, friendship, and fellowship. He does all this freely, without anything being done or incurred by us. He presents us with the perfect finished work of Jesus by which all our debts are paid; our righteousness is wrought out, the law and government of God are honoured, and a worthy title to eternal life is freely granted. We receive this work of God by faith, and we are "justified from all things." Not one charge remains: there is no condemnation, but we are justified freely by grace without the works of the law.

For Meditation:
Slain in the guilty sinner's stead,
Jesus, Thy righteousness I plead;
And Thine atoning blood,
That righteous robe o'er me shall be;
Thy merit shall avail for me,
And bring me near to God.