Simul justus et peccator

"This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."
Romans 4:22-25

The gospel message in knee-bucklingly awesome, and frankly almost beyond comprehension. The Apostle Paul seemed to have a similar sentiment regarding the gospel, particularly as he wrote the book of Romans. The passage above concludes chapter 4, which was a technically brilliant discourse on the heart of the gospel - justification by faith. In the statement "it was credited to him as righteousness," the "him" refers to Abraham, and the "it" refers to the faith that was gracefully given to him by God. In short, he convincingly argues that Abraham was justified before God not because of his acts of obedience, but rather, because of the righteousness given to him by faith from God. The justification of Abraham was entirely the work of God.

Simul justus et peccator is a latin term coined by Martin Luther that gets to the heart of our justification by faith in Christ. It means, "at the same time a sinner and justified." Our justification, (btw - justification is a legal term in which the accused in declared "blameless" and completely innocent. In regards to our sin, I like to remember that to be justified is "just as if I never sinned.") awesome as it is, is also entirely the work of God, and worth celebrating. It's also a line of thinking worth thinking about.

Imagine a court case where you have been accused of the murder and sentenced to death by electric chair - and, truth be told, you are guilty (we're imagining remember ;). Justice requires an equal punishment for the crime committed, and justice regardless must be satisfied. Just as you are about to be lead off in chains to your execution, a stranger stands up and willingly offers to take your place to the judge. I mean, even though he was completely innocent of the crimes, he nevertheless offers to receive the punishment due you and save your guilty butt. The judge considers this, and relents, acknowledging that as long as justice is satisfied and someone pays the requisite penalty, it is fine with him. So your chains are taken off and fall to the ground, just they are quickly placed on the innocent man who took your place. In so doing, the judge legally declares the innocent man guilty - crediting him with your guilt and sentencing him to endure your punishment, while at the same time declaring you to be innocent - crediting you with the now doomed man's righteousness. You walk off in unmerited freedom, while the innocent man dies in your place.

Hard to believe? Well this is exactly what Christ has done for us. We are guilty of sin and sentenced to death. Innocent Jesus willingly took our just death sentence upon himself - "He who knew no sin, became sin for us." God the judge credited Him with our guilt, while at the same time justifying us, declaring us blameless, crediting us with the righteousness of Jesus. To believe and be assured of this sacrificial transaction is the gift of faith, which comes from God alone - it is not our doing...it is all God's doing. As a result of Christ's work, the wrath of God was satisfied and we are justified, and now we ought to live our lives in such a way that He is glorified!

If this season of Lent reminds us of anything, it's that despite the saving work of Christ...we remain sinners. We still stumble and sin our way through this journey from life to death. In our struggle with sin, it would do us all well to remember our justification through faith. To remember that because of Christ, we are "at the same time a sinner and justified." To remember that God will credit to us His righteousness when we have faith in Him. And to remember to glorify Him in every way, every day, because "He was delivered over to death for our sins, and raised for our justification."

Despite our sin, we may live in hope and confidence, just as if we had never sinned...this is the amazing truth of the Gospel!

Be God's, Scott