"By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many."
Isaiah 53:11
A man said to his friend, "If I was God, I would let everyone go to heaven." His friend said, "There's a problem with that. If you were President, would you pardon every criminal in our prisons? If you did, think of the increase in crime. If their lives are not changed, they would continue to do bad things to many people. The people who go to heaven are changed by the grace of God." The man said, "I've never thought of it that way."
Isaiah prophesied a day when the Messiah, or Christ -- God's righteous Servant, would come to justify many. To be justified is more than forgiveness. It means the record of our sins is removed. It's "just-if-I'd" never sinned as far as God is concerned. Our sin debt is paid in full at the cross of Jesus. He takes away our sins and considers us righteous by faith in Christ. Those who are justified, are also sanctified, that is "set apart" to God to live a new life. The Holy Spirit changes our hearts by God's grace through faith in Christ.
Are you justified? Do you believe that Christ died for your sins, and that He is risen from the dead? Then, you are justified by faith in Christ. The Holy Spirit lives in you (Romans 8:9). You are a new person in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). God has removed all of your sins. You are considered righteous through the perfect obedience of Christ. Is that good news? It's the gospel of Jesus Christ, and gospel means good news. The good news is that sinners are justified.
God, we believe and receive the good news in Christ.
