We are taught that we must become upright people who, in God’s sight, are blameless and fully keep His commandments. “In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly” [(Modern Translation: “When Herod was king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the division of Abijah, and his wife Elizabeth also came from the family of Aaron. They were righteous before God and faithfully kept all the Lord’s commandments and regulations without fault”)] (Luke 1:5–6). While meditating on this passage, I would like to draw out the lessons given to us: (1) The author of Luke’s Gospel, Luke, first wrote to Theophilus about John the Baptist’s parents. The father’s name was “Zechariah” (meaning, “The LORD remembers...
The result of justification (1): Enjoy peace with God “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1) According to Romans 5:1, the Bible says “… we have peace with God ….” The first result of justification is to have peace with God (v. 1). We have been reconciled to God (v. 10) only through our Lord Jesus Christ (v. 1) (past tense). While we were “still helpless” (v. 6), while we were “yet sinners” (v. 8), and while “we were enemies” (v. 10), Christ died for us (v. 8). Because we have been justified by His blood (v. 9), we are reconciled to God (v. 10) [Method/Means of justification: Faith (“Therefore, … by faith …”) (5:1)]. God has reconciled us to Himself through Christ (2 Cor. 5:18). Therefore, we must have peace...