Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "justification". We see the word in a couple of forms in these two passages of Scripture:

Romans 4:23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. KJV

Romans 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. KJV

The (red) "justification" in each section is the Greek word "dikaiosis". Strong's Concordance says: aquittal (for Christ's sake). Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: the act of God's declaring men free from guilt and acceptable to Him.Vine's Expository Dictionary says: the act of pronouncing righteous. It's precise meaning is determined by that of the verb "dikaioo" (to justify). "Justified" in Romans 5:1 and the second "justification" in Romans 5:18 is the Greek word "dikaioma". Strong's Concordance says: an equitable deed, a statute or decision. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: that which has been deemed right so as to have the force of law. What has been established and ordained by law; an ordinance. A judicial decision, a sentence. A righteous act or deed. The Theological Dictionary says: The term has varied legal senses. A gound or claim. Written proof, document, validation. A decree, statute, ordinance. A sentence, punishment. Right action. 

So we have been declared by Almighty God as free from guilt, acceptable to HIM, made righteous, legally free of all condemnation. NOT by anything that WE have done, but by EVERYTHING that HE has done to stand in our place. So many believers over the years have been held in bondage by the thinking that they were 'just an old sinner, saved by grace'. We WERE sinners, but we HAVE BEEN saved by GRACE! NOW we are RIGHTEOUS SAINTS, recreated in the image of God, with HOLY SPIRIT living IN us, the ANOINTING of God upon us, the gifts and callings of God available to us and HIS plans and purposes working FOR US! We are, of ALL people, MOST BLESSED! I know that you KNOW this, but sometimes a refresher is GOOD for the SOUL and to stir up joy and confidence that we ARE who HE says we are. We CAN DO what HE says we can do. And the BEST is YET TO COME! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with "All My Life":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!