As If

Justification.

Like several other posts in this series, the word justification deals with sin. As a matter of fact, in a recent conversation with a confused friend struggling in her faith, it’s this word that spurred my reason to attack this series of Christian words that are often misunderstood…that pesky language of Christianese.

Justification is something I still struggle to wrap my mind around.  No, I’m not referring to aligning my margins before I submit an article or writing contest entry. I’m also not talking about a bunch of excuses people often rattle off to justify their wrong actions.

When my kids were little, we participated in Junior Bible Quiz. This was an awesome opportunity to teach our faith to kids in a fun, competitive way.  I learned so much in the process of coaching and helping my kids study for quiz meets.

When I see or hear the question: What is Justification?  I instantly hear hands slamming on the buzzer. The JBQ answer was something like this: When we accept Jesus as our Savior, God looks upon us just-as-if we’ve never sinned.

Justification --> Just-as-if…

Galatians 2:16

 …nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of  the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.

Have you ever played dodge ball? Were any of you the wimpy kid all the bullies loved to peg with those rubber playground balls so hard it left the bumpy imprints on your flesh? With each ball that flies through the air, you duck in expectation of the impact. With every stinging impact on your skin you hear in your head “I’m a loser. I’m a wimp. I’m a nobody.”

Sounds like the type of taunts Satan throws at us, doesn’t it? “You’re not really saved. You’re a slimy sinner. Remember the time you…?”

So you’re penned against the wall being pelted by rubber balls when someone big and brave has mercy and defends you. This person walks out and stands in front of you. He frees you from onslaught of the bullies and guards you from every assault.

When God sees you, He doesn’t see the sin you’ve repented of. He sees your Hero standing in front of you protecting you from the lies of Satan. He declares you pardoned and sets you free with the gift of grace and salvation.

He sees you just-as-if you’ve never sinned.