THE CHILDREN JUSTIFIED
In the presence of his king, the prophet Elijah spoke of the God "before whom I stand" - a remarkable statement. Not only did it mean that he waited in service, but that he was able in his spirit to abide in the presence of the allholy One. Later, on the Mount, he did actually stand in the glory with Jesus, the holy One of God. Of the early life of Elijah we know nothing except that he was given a name meaning 'Whose God is Jehovah'. It could be that, while quite young he realised that through the grace of his God he was reckoned righteous enough to stand in the divine Presence. As he grew up he may have understood that the sacrifices offered by the priests in some way secured this for him. We know that those offerings of beasts without blemish looked forward to the great sacrifice of Jesus and the shedding of His blood of atonement. The believer on the Lord Jesus is justified "in the power of his blood".
As to our enjoyment of these things, the believer is "justified freely" by "the grace of God". This is through redemption's blood having met the judgment-guilt of our sins. All our sins were future when Jesus died so that, although the believer should never sin against his God, yet even so "the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin". The water that also flowed from the riven side of the Saviour shows the fulness of God's provision when our consciences become uneasy.
God's justifying grace is unmerited favour and is without conditions, although a believer would seek in every way to please Him. A little incident recorded of Queen Elizabeth I shows the principle. In speaking to a woman known to her but who had attempted to endanger her life, the Queen sought to attach precautions to a free pardon which she was graciously giving. She was startled however to hear the reply, 'Madam, grace that is fettered by conditions is no grace at all'. Nevertheless a full pardon was given and a devoted subject secured. It cost her Majesty but a few words to pardon: God spared not His only-begotten Son that we might have a full and righteous justification! Do you enjoy it?
J.C.Evershed