“Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”
(Romans 4:25)
Few truths in Scripture should stir thanksgiving in the believer’s heart more than the declaration that we are justified—made right with God—not by our own efforts but by the righteousness of Jesus Christ. This is the very heart of the gospel, the “good news” that God has given to sinners who have no hope apart from the rescue, redemption, and righteousness secured for us by Christ.
Paul speaks of this perfect and effectual work of our Redeemer in 1 Corinthians 15—Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day, all according to the Scriptures. His death completely satisfied God’s wrath against sin. His burial declared the finality of His sacrifice. And His resurrection confirmed that the debt was fully paid, that victory over death and hell had been achieved, and that justification was now secured for all who believe.
Romans 4:25 explains that Christ was “delivered for our offences,” meaning He was handed over to death because of our sins. The guilt was ours, but the punishment fell on Him. “The LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). But it doesn’t end there. He was also “raised again for our justification.” His resurrection was the Father’s public declaration that the Son’s sacrifice was accepted, and that all who are in Him are now counted righteous.
What does it mean to be justified? It is a legal declaration from the Judge of all the earth, stating that believing sinners are no longer under condemnation. Rather, we are counted as righteous before God because Christ’s obedience and sacrifice are credited (imputed) to our account. His righteousness becomes ours. This is the very exchange described in 2 Corinthians 5:21: “For he hath made him to be sin for us… that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” This is the only way we can be accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6).
This righteousness is only attainable through faith in the finished work of Christ. “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Romans 3:28). The sinner’s only plea is what Michael Harrison expressed: “I lean by faith to Him, and rest on Him alone for pardon, justification, and eternal life.”[1] There is no other name, no other righteousness, no other hope. Christ alone is our salvation.
And all of this—every drop of mercy, every breath of grace—is a gift. Faith itself is a gift from God, and justification is by grace from first to last. We contribute nothing to our salvation except the sin that made it necessary. All the glory belongs to Christ.
Praise be to God that we are not half-forgiven or only made partially righteous. Rather, we are fully accepted, eternally secured, and perfectly loved in Christ. The Father sees us as He sees His Son—not because we are worthy, but because Jesus is. This is not only news worth hearing, it is news worth giving thanks for every day of our lives.
Contemplation:
- Thankful for Imputed Righteousness. I know I have no righteousness of my own. Left to myself, I would perish. But You, Lord, have given me the righteousness of Your Son. You see me not in my sin, but in Christ. That overwhelms me. I thank You for such mercy. I thank You for a righteousness that never fails nor fades, that is not mine by effort, but mine by grace.
- Grateful for the Fullness of the Gospel. So often I think only of the cross, but Your resurrection is just as necessary for the fulfillment of Your redemptive plan. Thank You that Christ rose again—that He conquered death, and that His resurrection seals my justification. Because He lives, I know I am accepted. Thank You for a complete salvation—a Savior who died, was buried, and rose again for me.
- Rejoicing in the Assurance of Justification. I don’t have to wonder if I’m right with You. I don’t have to fear that I’ve not done enough. You have declared me justified, not based on my performance but on Christ’s perfection. Thank You that I can rest in that. Thank You that the judgment seat is no longer a place of dread, but a place of hope, because Jesus is my righteousness.
- Praising You for the Simplicity of Faith. I cannot earn nor do I deserve so great a salvation. But You have given me faith—faith to believe, to receive, to trust in Jesus alone. That faith justifies because its object is perfect. Thank You for making the way of salvation so clear… and that my hope is not in myself, but in Christ, my Redeemer.
Prayer (Thanksgiving):
O Lord my God, I lift my voice in thanksgiving for the unspeakable gift of justification through Jesus Christ. You are holy, and Your justice is perfect. I was born in sin, condemned under Your Law, and incapable of justifying myself. Yet in Your mercy, You delivered up Your own Son for my offences and raised Him for my justification. What kindness, what grace, what love!
I thank You that the death of Christ satisfied Your righteous wrath, and that His resurrection is the declaration that I am no longer condemned. Thank You for clothing me with the righteousness of Your Son, for giving me what I could never earn. I bless Your name, Father, for You have not dealt with me according to my sins but according to Your mercy in Christ.
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for fulfilling the Law in my place—for every act of obedience You rendered, and for every suffering You endured. You drank the cup of wrath so that I might drink the cup of blessing. You stood condemned, so that I might be justified. I am accepted because You were forsaken. I am made righteous because You bore my guilt. My soul praises You.
Thank You for the clarity and simplicity of the gospel. You did not require me to climb a ladder of works or attain perfection by my own hand. You called me to believe. And even that belief was a gift. You opened my heart to receive Christ. You gave me faith to rest in Him. And now I stand, not on shifting ground but on the solid rock of Jesus’ righteousness.
Let me never forget this mercy. Let me never presume upon it. Let me never be silent about it. Fill my mouth with praise. Fill my heart with worship. Let my life be lived in gratitude for the gospel—this good news that Christ died and rose again for me. May I proclaim it boldly, rejoice in it daily, and rest in it fully.
Thank You, Father, for justifying the ungodly by faith. Thank You for loving me, choosing me, redeeming me, and securing me in Christ. Let my whole soul give thanks, not just today, but for all eternity.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Romans 4:25:
Romans 8:32; 1 Cor. 15:17; Romans 5:6, 8; Isa. 53:5–6; Matt. 20:28.
[1] Michael Harrison, Christ’s Righteousness Imputed, the Saint’s Surest Plea for Eternal Life, eBook, (Crossville, TN: Puritan Publications, 2016) Section: Christ’s Righteousness Imputed to Us.
