I was under the weather during the Christmas break from school so we were unable to travel to see my in-laws. We decided to take advantage of the long Martin Luther King weekend to make a trip home. The weather cooperated. Early in the week before we were to go my in-laws’, they were still buried in snow. I thought I would at least get to see some snow, but the warm weather had melted it all away by the time we got there.

We had a nice trip home visiting with my in-laws and celebrating Christmas a little late. We ate plenty of good food just like it was Christmas, too. I was also able to see some relatives that I haven’t seen in a while, which was an extra bonus. It was a relaxing, refreshing trip home.

My little sister lives in that area, so I was able to catch up with her family, too. We talked about when we would get together while I was home and she suggested I come to church with her. If you know me, you would think I would jump at that opportunity. But I need to stop and explain something about going to my in-laws’ house.

We tend to eat late suppers at my in-laws’. Late suppers lead to staying up until the wee hours of the morning, enjoying each other’s company. That leads to sleeping in until…wait, I am not admitting to that in writing. The bottom line, we often miss church while we are home. I enjoy some extra sleep and some extra quiet time, but no church.

Now, back to my sister’s offer. My spirit jumped at the chance. My sister has wanted me, or someone in our family, to come to her church. She and her children have all been baptized there and she loves her church.  It is a mainline denominational church that does some unique things to attract people, like Easter sunrise service on the beach. My heart responded yes to my sister’s offer even though I would lose some sleep.

I was warmly greeted by a number of people, something I think many churches need to work on. I knew the songs and immediately connected to both the music and the people. I felt the spirit’s sweet presence immediately. The pastor and associate pastor share the responsibilities for the early service. It was smooth as silk. My sister told me that they alternate who teaches at the early service.

The associate pastor led the service.  She invited the children to come up, and showed them a picture of a family. There was the mother and father, their daughter, and an adopted son. She used the picture to explain how we are adopted into the family of God. It was a simple, yet powerful illustration. She then encouraged the kids to dip their finger in some water and make the cross on their forehead and to remember that through baptism they were in the family of God.

The adults began a new series on big words. Sunday’s big word was justification. She wove together three illustrations from scripture to explain how we are declared righteous by God. She used Zachariah 3 to powerfully speak to me that God takes away our filthy rags, our sinfulness, and clothes us with beautiful, righteous robes. If that is not enough, then God declares that we are righteous. We are justified. We are declared NOT guilty. Now, who am I to argue with the creator of the entire universe about my righteousness?

The key to this is that we have to receive this through faith, regardless of what we think or feel. We also have to realize that God declares us righteous because He has something for us to do. We need to be justified to fulfill our God-ordained purpose. God needs us to be His light, His grace, His mercy, His peace, His presence, for the people in our lives. I believe God sends us to the people in our lives every day to make His difference in their lives.

I want to encourage you, through faith, to receive your justification. You are not guilty in God’s eyes, but rather called to fulfill His purpose for your life. God clothes you with His righteousness, the debate is over. You have been acquitted. So stop listening to the enemy’s lies, put on your beautiful, clean robes, remind yourself of the price Jesus paid for you, and go in the confidence that God gives you to fulfill your destiny. I am expecting GREAT things this year, I hope you are too.

 Contact Doug at doug@dougcreamer.com