What goes through your mind when you hear the word "justification"? For most Christians, we immediately turn our thoughts to the idea of being justified by faith. This was a core doctrine of the reformers and did much for the protestant movement. John Calvin was perhaps the father of the Justification Doctrine.
I just wonder if there isn't a new idea among Christians about justification. Does our idea of salvation by justification take a different turn? Have you ever found yourself thinking "I know I shouldn't do X but I know God will forgive me if I slip up?" Perhaps you think to yourself "It's ok for me to tell a little white lie because I don't want to hurt her feelings." Or perhaps "I don't have the gift to witness and go door-to-door." Or maybe it's even the thought "This is the last time I'm going to do X."
Are we trying to find our salvation by justification of actions and choices? We should spend our time in prayer and study, asking Christ into our hearts to make us of pure heart, replacing our own will with God's will so that these temptations become a thing of the past.
Remember that we are saved by "justification by faith" not "justification by rationalization". Don't let your definition of justification become that of justifying actions and thoughts to make yourself feel better.
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