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Day 12 - Because I’m Forgiven, The Blessings Are Mine
Rom 4:9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. Rom 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. Rom 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
Rom 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed…
Justification is not just about securing forgiveness of sins; it secures all the blessings designated for us as sons and heirs in the Father's house. This is apart from works and while we were still sinners, justified by faith in Him who justifies the ungodly apart from works. In Romans 4, we find justification, which includes the forgiveness of sins and the blessing that comes with it. David mentions the blessing of having sins forgiven, and not imputed (meaning literally not reckoned to our account), and this is for him who “works not” but believes on Him that justifies the ungodly (Rom 4:5).
But in Abraham’s case, the blessing is fully positive. It subjects the world to come and even secures the reward of the inheritance. (Rom 4:4, 4:13). As Justified believers, we are not only forgiven, but we are heirs. This dual nature of justification is emphasized in the book of Romans where we see that justification is for blessing and qualification to inherit. We are made heirs through faith, and our justification positions us to be heirs of God, members of the body of Christ, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.
The blessing that comes with forgiveness is not just a clean slate or a ticket to heaven. It is the inheritance and the promise of the Spirit, which is God in Christ as our life. This blessing is the very presence of the triune God, who desires to live in us and through us. As we receive the forgiveness of our sins, we are also qualified to inherit the blessings that God has prepared for us in Christ. This includes being priests and kings, reigning with Him forever, and being co-heirs together with Him. Justification not only forgives our sins but also secures everything for us, making us recipients of God's abundant blessings.
The Gospel is primarily about our inheritance, and we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, sealed with the Spirit of Promise after we believed the Gospel, raised up together with Christ, and seated with Him in the heavenly places. As we walk in the knowledge of our forgiveness and the blessings that come with it, let us be mindful of the purpose behind it all. God has forgiven us and blessed us for a reason – to fulfill His divine purpose in our lives.
Verses
- "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:26)
- "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:29)
- "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:17)
- "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." (Ephesians 1:3)
- "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:6)
- "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." (Romans 4:5)
- "Now to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." (Romans 4:5)
- "For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith." (Romans 4:13)
Prayer / Confession
Dear Lord, I thank You that through justification, I am not only forgiven of my sins but qualified to inherit all the blessings designated for me as Your child. I am grateful that by faith in Christ, I am made a child of God, a joint heir with Jesus Christ, and a member of the body of Christ. I thank You for every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ that You have blessed me with, and I declare that I am seated with Him in the heavenly places. I believe that I have received the Spirit of Promise and that I am raised up together with Christ. I confess that I am an heir of God and a joint heir with Jesus Christ, and that my justification positions me to inherit all the blessings that You have for me. Thank You for justifying me apart from works, while I was yet a sinner. I pray that this truth will sink deep into my heart and transform my life, so that I may live as an heir of Your glorious riches. In Jesus' name, Amen.