Five Miracles God Works for All Christians, Part 4 of 5

Real miracles seem in short supply, but my hope has been to show how God has already worked five great miracles of grace in the lives of all Christians.

The miracle text is Romans 8:29-30 (with my emphasis): For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. 

So far I’ve spoken about the first three: the miracles of foreknowledge, predestination, and calling. (You could click here to review: #1, #2, #3). Which brings us to the fourth miracle: the miracle of justification - those whom he foreknew, predestined, called, he also justified. God Paid Our Debt and Declared Us Righteous.

Imagine that one day you stand before God. You’ve finished your earthly life, and what lies before you is either heaven or hell. You stand in a vast throng of people, and one after another comes before the Holy God of the universe.

Though there are many, many thousands in the multitude, the judgment line moves quickly. All too quickly. You are trembling and can barely stand. Your apprehension only worsens as you see what happens as each person comes to the front.

Instantly the life of the person who stands before God is revealed and reviewed. It’s as if an enormous high-definition screen is projected into the sky, and every detail of the person’s life is laid bare.

With dismay you realize that the screen displays not just actions and events, but the inner life of the heart. Decisions and words and thoughts are projected in unflinching detail, and they expose the ugliness of idolatry, lust, pride, deceit, covetousness, laziness, and selfishness. Even worse, there is an instant contrast with the commands of God’s law, His demand for 100% devotion, purity, faithfulness, humility, honesty, selflessness, and kindness.

The judgment upon such a life is tragic, but indisputable. God's word thunders forth: For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it (James 2:10). The soul who sins shall die (Ezekiel 18:20a). Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him (John 3:36).

Now, finally, it’s your turn. You can barely raise your eyes as you remember with shame your private and public sins and failures. You force yourself to look at the images as they begin to flicker above you.

But what you see is Jesus. First you see the sweetness and perfect obedience of His infancy and boyhood. Then comes the radiance of His young manhood, His words and actions and thoughts undeniably pure and compassionate and devoted.

You see Him in the wilderness, being tempted by Satan. Buffeted, weak, and exhausted, He meets every test, wins every challenge. You see His heart of love for His Father as He kneels in prayer. His kindness to sinners and His power over nature, demons and disease light the screen in glorious detail.

You are overwhelmed with your love for the Savior as you see Him nailed to a cross, remembering that the sin He bore was yours. The sight of His death is almost too much, but then you see Him raised again in absolute victory.

And you think, Wait, where is the record of my life? What about all the ugly, prideful, mean, selfish, lustful, idolatrous, disqualifying moments that I remember?

The miracle of justification means that Jesus’ record of obedience is “credited” (reckoned, counted) to you, and that your sins are “credited” to Him. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). He lived the life you should have lived, died the death you deserve, and was raised in emphatic testament that His substitution on your behalf is accepted by God.

God declares you and me “righteous” (justified) because of Jesus. That’s a miracle.

For next time: Miracle #5 – "Glorified": God Brings Us Safely Home.