“…who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification” (Romans 4:25, ESV).

This verse says that Jesus died for our sins and was raised from the dead for our justification. Justification means that He administers justice in our case so that things are made right. So, when you are justified, it’s shown that you are in the right. When we try and justify our actions, we’re making excuses. We give reasons why what we’re choosing to do is okay, or at least, not so bad. We are trying to tell ourselves that we’re right to do so.

The thing that jumped out to me with this verse is that anytime we’re trying to justify our actions, we’re playing into the anti-Christ spirit because we’re trying to replace Christ. He is our justifier.

We don’t get to play that role in our lives. Jesus had to die and be raised from the dead to bring justice in our case, in order for us to be justified. We don’t get to play that role for ourselves or for others. Anytime you catch yourself trying to justify a questionable action (or one you outright know is wrong), telling yourself excuses to say a behavior is okay (one that you obviously question or you wouldn’t feel the need to make excuses), it’s a good sign to stop in your tracks. Don’t justify yourself. You can’t do it. Your justifications will never make anything right. It’s a lie. Jesus is the truth and the justifier.

Don’t give Him something needing justifying in your life! Of course, when we are justified in Christ Jesus, that doesn’t mean He makes excuses for our sins. He makes them right by covering them with His own blood and cleansing us into new life, by the power of the Holy Spirit that raised Him from the dead.