We are justified by faith alone in Jesus Christ. This is the foundation of the Christian faith. We are not saved by works, but we are saved by faith.

Justified is a big religious word. People like to say justified means “just as if I’d” never sinned.

It’s God legally declaring us righteous, right in the eyes of the law. He can do that because Jesus took our sin on Himself and put His righteousness on us.

Christ’s righteousness is perfect. So, in His perfect righteousness, we are blameless and accepted “in the Beloved,” in Christ.

If you are clothed in the righteousness of God, you will live a righteous life. That doesn’t mean we are sinless.

Our sins of ignorance and sins committed unintentionally are covered by the blood. We see that in the Old Testament. Even if we are constrained by the love of God to obey His commands and are free in the power of the Spirit to choose what is right, we can still be sinning unintentionally and in ignorance.

Over time we are sanctified, made holy, made more and more separated to God and separated from sin, self, and the world. In that process, God points out to us some of those sins of ignorance. We confess. We repent. By the power of His HOLY Spirit in us, we get free of that sin and walk in His righteousness. That can be a process, but it’s God’s work to free us from our sin. Give yourself to Him to do that work. There will be suffering. Thank Him for His perfect work perfecting you and allow yourself to go through the pain to get rid of your sin.

Galatians 2:20 I can call the definition of a Christian. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

I no longer live. You can’t get offended and get your feelings hurt. You can’t be in self-pity or self-consciousness. You can’t have your rights denied. You no longer live.

We live our life by faith. By faith, again and again until it’s our nature. “That’s the old man. He’s dead. The new man does this. That’s who I am.” We live as Christ by faith. By faith we say no to everything of flesh and yes to everything of God.

You can do it by faith. By faith you have the power over every temptation. Believe in the power of your salvation – by faith!

If your faith is weak, ask for faith. Our salvation, all of it, is a grace gift from God.