Just*if*id - a Post for a New Year

Sometime this past year, I was participating in a group Bible Study at the North Dakota State Penitentiary (I am a volunteer there) when one of the residents expressed his deep regrets about the way that his life has turned out thus far. 

At that time, we were discussing the grace and forgiveness that Jesus Christ made possible for us all, as a group.

The man said, "When I think about my life, I keep saying to myself Just if I'd...."  If I had made different choices in so many circumstances, my current situation would be different.  But then he went on to share that he knows in his heart that he is 'Justified' through Christ. 

Here are a few of the Biblical references that we referred to during our discussion: 

Galatians 2:16 (NIV)

16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

Romans 3:24 (NIV)

24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

I was deeply engaged by this man's play on this word, just*if*id...  I decided that evening, that I was going to ponder this and write a blog post about it sometime. 

So, here I am, thinking back over the past year as we face the beginning of a new year and a new decade. 

There are things that come across my recollection which cause me to think, just*if*i'd....   How about you?

But, To be justified in Christ means that we do not need to earn our forgiveness or win God’s favor by good works. God is the one who justifies us because we believe He exists, that Jesus is God, Jesus died so that He can forgive our sins, and He returned to life. If we believe these truths, then He justifies us and declares us to be eternally holy. 

It is a gift.

And, the lesson that I learned that night at the penitentiary was a gift as well. That Christian man seems to understand grace and accept it, better than I ever have.

He gave me the gift of learning to give myself grace and reminded me that my downfalls as normal human nature, but fully covered by Jesus.

So, as you ponder the past year, and perhaps even the past decade, try not to get hung up on the "just*if*I'd s" of the past, but rather offer yourself grace and move into this new year and new decade knowing even more clearly than ever before, that you are Justified through  faith thanks to our Savior Jesus Christ!

Happy New Year!  May you have a blessed and grace filled year to come!!