I was preaching a sermon one Sunday and uh
It was about, it was a parable
And it was talking about the uh, the disciples and Jesus
When they were going through a corn field
And they began to pick the corn
And the Pharisees, the legalistics of the day, they came
And they were chastising them that
'Why are you doing this on the Sabbath?'
They had this whole discourse and dialog between the two of them
Jesus was saying, 'Listen, do you, do you not remember that you
You, yourself aren't even worthy
You guys break unleavened bread on, on the Sabbath
And you kill the sacrifice, you clean the sacrifice'
They have a need and it's my job and my responsibility
To meet their need and I'm at their need
I trump the synagogue, I trump the Sabbath
I'm Lord of your life, I'm Lord of everything that is you
I'm Lord of this, this day, recognize who you're talking to
But in the course of the whole thing what I realize is that
The dialog was between the Pharisees or the religious leaders of the day
Was between the dignitaries, the officials of the Church and Jesus
The disciples never uttered a word
He literally started embodying his permanent position in our lives
Because he stepped in between the law and the people
He says, 'No, I'm Grace and because of Me
They don't have to defend themselves to you'
'I'll do all the talking, My blood will speak through all of eternity
I have justified them, even in their wrong, I know that they are wrong
I know that they make mistakes, I know that they are not perfect
I know that they do things that are not pleasing'
'But even in their wrong, My blood will speak on their behalf
And I will just', somebody should have shouted right there
Because He didn't kill you for all the sinful acts that you committed
But he justified you
God bless me with this song, it simply speaks the life of that message
And I'm just excited to be able to share it with you
Hey, justified me, glorified me
Paid my ransom and I've been redeemed by his blood
Go to Calvary, I've been made free
Despite my enemy, I thank God, I'm justified
Paid a price for my life
And all that was wrong, His love made it right
Now what greater sign can any man show?
That know with his own blood He made me whole
He justified me, glorified me
Paid my ransom and I've been redeemed by his blood
Go to calvary, I've been made free
Despite my enemy, I thank God, I'm justified
If my sins had their way I never would have made it
With a debt I just couldn't afford to pay, He came and saved me
When the enemy said that I couldn't, God said go ahead
Because you're covered by me awesome, awesome powerful blood
Though I, I should've been dead and never kept alive
God's grace and his mercy were on every side
When it looks like I can't, God says I can
And he won't let me fall in the enemy's hand
Oh, I'm just glad to know that God saved me
His grace and his mercy
They watched over me all night long
If it had not been, if it had not been
If it had not been, if it had not been
If it had not been for the lord that was on my side
Hey, listen I got some testimonies listen
Just like Nineveh that was headed for destruction
God stepped in and he said
(Not guilt)
You gonna live and you won't see the day of destruction
(Oh oh oh)
Just like Daniel who was condemned to the lion's den, God said
(Not guilt)
You're gonna live
(You're gonna live, yeah)
Just like David who was dearly beloved inspite of God said
(Not guilt)
Yeah
Hey
(Let's talk about you)
If you be honest with yourself tonight
If it hadn't been for the grace of God
You would've been, you could've been
Yeah, listen, hey
To the liar
(Not guilt)
To the cheater
(Not guilt)
To the deceiver
(Not guilt)
Even to the believer
(Not guilt)
There is their point no condemnation to them
(Not guilt)
That are in Christ Jesus
(Not guilt)
Yeah, yeah
(Not guilt)
Hey
Some of y'all got it twisted, listen
(Not guilt)
If it hadn't been for God
(God did it)
You wouldn't have made it
Hey, don't get confused about who kept you
Hey
(God did it)
When the enemy said that I couldn't, God did it
(God did it)
When my haters said that I wouldn't, God did it
(God did it)
Hey, I thought we'd never get out of the poor house but
(God did it)
I thought we'd never see the White House but I'm claiming it
(God did it)
Hey and if you be honest He's been over your house
(God did it)
Every grateful heart just bless his name
(God did it)
Who delivered you?
(God did it)
Be honest about it, who kept you? Yeah
(God did it)
Come on and testify who brought you, hey
(God did it)
Hey, just shout God did it
(God did it)
Point to heaven and give him glory, God did it
(God did it)
Come on and testify, hey
(God did it)
One more time if your praise is ringing say God did it
(God did it)
Hey yeah, yeah, hey
(God did it)
Every time I turn around, it's but God
But God, but God, but God
They said I wouldn't but God
They said I couldn't but God
They say I should've been dead but God
They say I should've been sick but God
They said I should've have never made it but God, yeah
Come on and just shout God did it
(God did it)
God did it
(God did it)
God did it
(God did it)
God did it
(God did it)
Don't believe yourself
(God did it)
Like your grateful self
(God did it)
Yeah, everybody say
(God did it)
Justified
Justified Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Smokie Norful’s stirring anthem "Justified," released on May 27, 2009, arrives as a powerful declaration of the believer's standing before God. More than just a melody and rhythm, this piece unpacks the profound theological truth of being made right with the Creator, not through human effort or merit, but solely through divine grace received by faith. It speaks to the heart of anyone who has grappled with feelings of inadequacy, guilt, or distance from God, offering the liberating message that our acceptance is already secured through the work of Jesus Christ. The song essentially narrates the journey from spiritual indictment under the weight of sin to glorious acquittal through the cross, illuminating the radical shift in status from condemned to justified in God's eyes.
The core meaning of "Justified" resonates deeply with foundational biblical concepts. Justification, in theological terms, means being declared righteous or innocent by God. It’s a legal term, like being acquitted in a court of law, but in this divine courtroom, the verdict is based on Christ's perfect life and atoning death, credited to those who believe. The song conveys this magnificent exchange: our sinfulness is imputed to Christ, and His righteousness is imputed to us. Romans 5:1 powerfully articulates this, stating, "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." This verse underscores the song's message that justification is the source of our reconciliation and peace with the divine, a peace unimaginable apart from this gracious act. Furthermore, Romans 3:23-24 reminds us that "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Norful’s song captures this essence, celebrating the freeness of this gift and the complete redemption found in Him.
Analyzing the song's delivery and structure reveals how effectively it communicates its weighty theme. The music itself builds with a sense of triumph and assurance, mirroring the confidence that comes with understanding one's justified position. Norful’s vocal performance carries the emotion from a place of realization and wonder to outright rejoicing. The arrangement supports the narrative, allowing the message to unfold clearly and impactfully. It doesn't just state the doctrine of justification; it testifies to its transformative power in a life. This aligns with passages like 1 Corinthians 6:11, which, after listing various sins, declares to the Corinthian believers, "But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." The song serves as a musical echo of this truth, reminding believers of their new identity and standing. It's not merely about being forgiven – which is wonderful – but about being declared righteous, made right, completely accepted.
The profound impact of "Justified" lies in its ability to translate complex theological truth into an accessible and inspiring musical experience. It calls to mind the incredible scope of God’s grace, as described in Romans 8:30: "And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified." The song taps into this chain of divine action, focusing on the crucial link of justification as the bridge between calling and future glory. It reassures those who feel unworthy that their worth is not found in themselves, but in the finished work of Christ. By emphasizing God’s action ("He justified us"), the song redirects focus away from human struggle and toward divine accomplishment. Titus 3:7 reinforces this perspective, saying, "so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." "Justified" by Smokie Norful is thus more than just a piece of music; it’s a declaration of freedom, a reminder of our incredible position in Christ, and an invitation to live in the peace and assurance that comes from being declared righteous by God Himself. It’s a song that encourages the spirit and fortifies faith, resting entirely on the solid ground of Christ's redemptive work.
