That Bird Ain’t Yours to Cook

Scripture:  Galatians 3:11 - Now it is evident that none are justified before God by the law, for 'the righteous shall live by faith.

Ours is a 'done' salvation first, not a 'do it' salvation first.  Unlike most other beliefs where doing comes before done, or put another way, sanctification precedes justification, we have a justification which comes before sanctification. This means that God acts first, initiates, and permits the essential change. God brings love, and God brings holiness to us as He sovereignly deems, as we cannot come before Him, lacking these. God brings godliness. As it is stated in Ephesians 2:1 we are dead in our trespasses and sins, so it is reasonable to not expect our own dead works to merit His audience.  This means because He began a good work in us [Philippians], we are positionally suitable to be before Him who is glorious.    

This also means we can be confident before God, because He gave the invitation. Justification is the bird that ain’t ours to cook. It is done. We just come to the table, grateful, receiving what God has brought.

This also means that none can gain bragging rights for their acceptance, and none can claim any natural advantages via strength, or education, or class, or gender, or behavior, or popularity, or attractiveness. It is all on God. Neither can any settle with their shame for being less than naturally advantaged. It is all on God.

It is a message of GRACE, gaining good which we do not deserve, and MERCY, not getting what we do deserve, being the rascals we are.

"...no one is justified before God..." or put differently NO ONE IS JUSTIFIED BEFORE THE BLESSING OF GOD... NO ONE IS MADE JUST BY THEIR OWN IMPERFECT EFFORT.  "The righteous shall live by faith.", or put differently THOSE MADE RIGHTEOUS SHALL THEN LIVE BY FAITH. Righteousness is first and foremost outside of ourselves, through which we then have the practice of righteousness. We are saved [justified] by grace, through faith, and not by works, lest anyone should boast; it is the gift of God, as stated in Ephesians 2:8-9. It is not through our own doing.

Raised up, and moved on to believe, by God, we have Christ dwelling in our hearts through faith [Ephesians 3:17], and we have His Spirit in our spirit [Ephesians 3:16].

Through no work of our own we become JUST AS JESUS, and JUST, AS JESUS - because of what God has done.

That is indeed, good news. The wages of sin are paid. Thank You Lord!

Prayer:  Bless You Lord, for your utter graciousness, which has saved this soul. I pray that these steps to come may be right, and that none become as that least measure of leaven, corrupting with pride, the entire lump [Galatians 5:9]. Persuade me deeply to stand firm in the liberty, wherewith Christ has freed me [Galatians 5:1].  Thank You Lord, for this liberty, come of your immeasurable giving. And for that day when hope unveils my glorious change - I say, Amen and Amen. And I say 'Look what the Lord has done!'

(by Dr. McNeal  Brockington)