“… being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” – Romans 3:24
This truth changes everything. If salvation were based on our performance, we’d never know if we’d done enough. We’d live in constant uncertainty, hoping our good outweighed our bad. But justification by grace removes that burden. As F. F. Bruce wrote, “How much more satisfying it is to know oneself justified freely by His grace than to hope to be justified by works of law.”
When we know we’re accepted by God from the start, we can serve Him with joy, not fear. Sanctification—the process of growing in holiness—becomes a journey of delight, not dread. We’re not trying to earn God’s love; we’re responding to it. Our obedience flows from assurance, not anxiety.
Martin Luther’s life illustrates this beautifully. Raised in a system that denied assurance of salvation, he lived in torment, never sure of his standing with God. But when the light of justification by faith broke through, he was transformed. He discovered that salvation wasn’t a future hope—it was a present reality. That revelation sparked the Protestant Reformation and continues to ignite hearts today.
What joy can we have if we’re always questioning our place with God? Very little. But when we know we are justified freely by His grace, we walk in freedom, confidence, and peace. That is the liberty of the gospel—and it begins with Romans 3:24.
surrendered devotions 