Young People's Group

Justified in the Spirit

by Mitchell Tan
September 23, 2016

THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS

The Lord Jesus coming to earth as the epitome of what godliness embodies is indeed a mystery. How can that which is divine take on flesh? This wonderful concept continues to cause us to stand in awe of the person of the Lord Jesus. Truly great is the mystery of godliness! Another aspect of this mystery is that as the Lord Jesus took on flesh, He continued to remain sinless. The Lord Jesus was absolutely righteous throughout His life on this earth. This is another amazing characteristic of the Lord Jesus.

THE MEANING OF THE PHRASE “JUSTIFIED IN THE SPIRIT”

“Justified in the Spirit”
1 Timothy 3:16b

The word “justified” has two meanings. The first meaning has the idea of being declared righteous. When we believe in the gospel of the Lord Jesus, we are declared righteous before the Lord God. The second meaning is that it refers to a person who is confirmed to be morally righteous. This is the meaning of the word “justified” in 1 Timothy 3:16. It was by the Spirit of God that the Lord Jesus was confirmed to be morally righteous at all times when He was on this earth. Even though He was in the flesh, He was justified by the Spirit.

WAYS BY WHICH THE SPIRIT CONFIRMED THAT THE LORD JESUS IS RIGHTEOUS

1. THE SPIRIT OF GOD OVERSHADOWING THE BIRTH OF JESUS

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.”
Luke 1:35

The Lord Jesus was conceived through the work of the Spirit of God. He came upon Mary and empowered her to conceive. Joseph was not involved in the process of Jesus being conceived in her womb. As such, the Lord Jesus was born sinless even though He was in the flesh. This indeed is another mystery.

2. THE SPIRIT OF GOD ANOINTING ON THE LORD JESUS

“And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, ‘You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.’”
Luke 3:22

The Holy Spirit descended on the Lord Jesus in the form of a dove as a sign of approval. This was to confirm that the Father was well-pleased with His Son because He had continued to live righteously and was now ready to serve in ministry to the people.

3. THE SPIRIT OF GOD FILLING AND LEADING THE LORD JESUS

“Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness”
Luke 4:1

After His anointing, the Lord Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit and was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the evil one. Even though He was tempted for forty days and nights, He continued to successfully stand against the wiles of the devil. He continued to be without sin. And after He was tempted, He was specially empowered by the Spirit of God (Luke 4:14). Throughout His life and ministry on earth, the Lord was confirmed by the Spirit to be righteous. Let’s truly recognise the sinless life of the Lord Jesus. Let’s appreciate the work of the Spirit of God in confirming His righteousness.

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