A few weeks ago I had a time of meditation in God’s word on my back porch. There was nothing to do and no one to see at the moment so I decided to read in Romans when my eyes came upon this verse:
“Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people.”
Romans 5:18 NIV
What caught my attention was the bold above: “One Righteous Act”. What could that have been? The context of the passage makes it very clear: the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross (5:6, 8-10)
The Cross
To think that this one act could result in “justification and life for all people” is unfathomable. Outside of the Cross of Christ we have nothing. All of our life and justification begins at the cross. This must be why Paul so boldly declares: “But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Gal 6:14)
Notice the emphasis: “one” righteous act. Not two, not three, not a bunch over and over again but simply one. What a joy this ought to be to our souls! No need for continued sacrifice, no need for our own righteous act for justification, no other act needed. As the author of Hebrews puts it: “[Jesus] does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.” (Heb 7:27)
Results
And this one act gives justification and life for all people. Justification: we stand forgiven and redeemed before God because of the Cross. Justified by His act alone and no deeds on our part or anyone else’s. Life for all: death comes by sin (Rom 5:12) and sin was condemned in the cross (Rom 8:3) therefore death was defeated in that sin was crucified in the person of Jesus and confirmed by His resurrection.
Therefore I ask: What more do you want? More than Justification and eternal life? We forfeit so much joy and rest due to our eyes not being on the cross. We forget that life has been purchased and redemption has been earned for us. All the victory we need is awaiting us in the person of Jesus Christ. He freely gives “unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Pet 1:3). Look to the Cross!
Action
- Praise God for sending His only Son to die on the cross for our justification and life
- Confess to God your attempt to bring life and redemption apart from the cross alone.
- Ask God to fix your eyes on Christ and what He has finished for you on the cross
- Listen to this post’s song: Only There