Rhapsody of Realities 23rd January 2025, Thursday Devotional By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (Christ Embassy)
Rhapsody of Realities Thursday 23 January 2025 TOPIC: The Formal Declaration of Our Innocence
But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification (Romans 4:24-25).
Rhapsody of Realities Thursday 23 January 2025 – MESSAGE
In our previous study, we learnt that we’re the proof of God’s fairness and impartiality. That’s what it means to be the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Now the latter part of our opening scripture reveals something extraordinary; it’s one of the most mind-blowing verses of the Bible. It says Jesus Christ was delivered for our offences and raised back to life, not for our forgiveness, but for our justification.
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This staggers the understanding of the human mind; it’s purely beyond belief. He was delivered to death for our offences and raised for our justification so that He (God) might be just and the justifier of the one who believes in Jesus Christ. How could an offender suddenly become justified?
The Greek word for justification is “Dikaiosis” and it means acquittal, a legal or formal declaration of innocence. It means God looked at you and said, “You’re innocent; you’re not guilty of any sin.” He should have said you’ve been forgiven of all sins, but He said, “You’re innocent.” Now it should have been that you paid in Christ and are not a debtor anymore; you should have been described as a free man who has been forgiven. But that’s not what we have here. God is saying you have been acquitted; the records were checked and it wasn’t found where you sinned; therefore, you were formally declared innocent, not guilty. He’s saying you never sinned; how could that happen?
That’s what makes it Gospel—Good News. Some people hear it and don’t understand it. How is it that I never sinned? It’s the result of Christ’s redemptive work. Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” We’ve been declared righteous by faith; do you know why? Because you’re born again, you’re a new creature. The Bible says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The new creation never sinned because he’s a brand-new species that never existed before. Blessed be God!
Prayer / Confession
The resurrection of Jesus Christ has made me a new creature, the very righteousness of God in Christ, justified and sin-free. I walk in the light of this truth, manifesting the glory of God and spreading the good news of His overflowing grace to others, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Further study
Romans 5:17 AMPC; Romans 3:26 AMPC; 2 Corinthians 5:21
1-year bible reading plan
Matthew 15:29-39; Matthew 16:1-12; Exodus 3-5
2-year bible reading plan
Matthew 9:1-13; Genesis 23
Rhapsody of Realities Thursday 23 January 2025 Devotional written by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, remains a life-guide with rich and impactful teachings from God’s Word. Millions of copies of Rhapsody of Realities, the best-selling daily devotional and Bible study guide have been distributed in 242 countries in 2010 languages of the world… and we’re still counting
