A notorious criminal was charged to court for murder and armed robbery. Everyone knew how this criminal troubled his community. The expectation of everyone who heard he was charged for murder and robbery was death sentence.

To the chagrin of everyone, this criminal was declared innocent of all the charges levied against him. He was freed and given a national honour. When the facts were revealed, they discovered that an innocent man offered to take his place in judgement so he could be free.

Do you know the story I just shared is about what Christ did for those who have accepted him? The story tells us what the gospel of justification is. We were guilty of all charges levied against us and we deserved to die but Christ gave us his innocence, took our guilt and declared us righteous.

JUSTIFICATION of the believer is a vital component of the gospel message. The believer is no longer guilty of charges levied against him by his accuser not because he did not do it but because someone took his guilt on himself and declared him innocent.

2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "For God made the only one who did not know sin to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God through our union with him"( TPT).

The most wonderful news about our justification is not just our declaration of innocence by God but the imputing of Christ's righteousness to us. That is, the righteousness of Christ has been imputed to us so that we can have access to God without fear or feeling of guilt.

Philippians 3:9 says,  "and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith".

The moment a sinner put his faith in Christ, he is declared innocent of his sins and given the righteousness of Christ. Isn't this good news? This is one of the reasons I say the gospel sounds too good to be true. The believer is the righteousness of God even If he doesn't feel like it.

Romans 5:18 says, "Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone".

When you go out to preach to sinners, instead of telling them Jesus will butter their bread and put sugar in their tea (something that is a daily occurence for some of them), tell them about justification. No religion in the world promises this.

The beauty and benefits inherent in the gospel is enough to attract sinnners who are under the weight of sin and tired of Satan's bondage of guilt.