Listen to the powerful and loving words that God spoke through the prophet Isaiah to the children of Israel – “But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend. You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest regions, and said to you, ‘you are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Behold, all those who were incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced; they shall be as nothing, and those who strive with you shall perish. You shall seek them and not find them – those who contended with you. Those who war against you shall be as nothing, as a nonexistent thing. For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘fear not, I will help you.'” (Isaiah 41: 8-13)
Around 700 years before Jesus was born, Isaiah prophesied of Jesus’ birth – “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9: 6)
Although our relationship with God was broken after what happened in the Garden of Eden, Jesus’ death paid the debt we owed so that we could come back into a relationship with God.
We are ‘justified,’ treated as righteous because of what Jesus did. Justified through His grace. Romans teaches us – “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Where is the boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” (Romans 3: 21-28)
Ultimately, we are all equal at the foot of the cross, all in need of redemption and restoration. Our good works, our self-righteousness, our attempt at obedience to any moral law, will not justify us…only the payment Jesus made for us can and will.
