Justifying Our Way

Several years ago, I had a friend say to me, “I can justify anything I do.” We both laughed. I have thought back to her comment more than I should have and I still sit in the same place knowing quietly in my heart how wrong that really was. I wish I had been a better friend to her and lovingly shared my views rather taking the easy way out, but I don’t think I was even ready for that myself.

In life, it's often all too easy for us to justify our actions, choices, and beliefs. We have become experts at seeking out reasons and excuses to validate our decisions, even when they may not align with what is ultimately right or beneficial for us and our loved ones. While it is true that God has granted us free will, enabling us to make choices for ourselves, it is important to know whether what we justify is truly getting us closer to Heaven.

We find ourselves sometimes justifying actions or behaviors that go against our values and compromise our integrity. I’ve done it, we all have. We convince ourselves that these choices are necessary to achieve success, happiness, or even survival. But during that mindset if we just take a moment to lean into God’s lens, we will realize how crucial it is to question our justifications and reflect on whether they align with the teachings and expectations of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

One fundamental question we can ask ourselves when we catch ourselves trying to justify things is: "Will this get me and my loved ones to Heaven?" If this is our moral compass; it elevates the consequences of our actions on our spiritual journey to Heaven.

Humor me for a moment with this fun little acronym.

1. J - Jesus is the example we should follow in all our decisions.

2. U - Understand God's Word and seek guidance from it.

3. S - Surrender your own desires and seek God's will above all else.

4. T - Trust in God's plans and timing, even when it doesn't make sense to us.

5. I - Invite the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you in every decision.

6. F - Filter your choices through the lens of God's truth.

7. Y - Yield to and embrace the Eucharist as often as you can.

What would Jesus Do? Remember the wristbands that covered the world with WWJD on them? It’s a simple phenomenon. If Jesus wouldn’t, then we shouldn’t either.

Remember the childhood question, "If we wouldn't do it in front of our mother, then don’t do it.” No matter how old we are, the decision will always be no.

Faith justifies initially but works perfect and complete justification. When our free will is God’s will, it’s right and just. It’s not about justifying everything, but rather justifying what God asks of us.

“See how a person is justified by works and not with faith alone.” James 2:24

So yes, we can justify everything we do but we will only find peace when that justification is through the lens of God’s plan for us. I am finally able to be the friend I should have been in the past. Thanks be to God!

My prayer for you today is that you are surrounded by people that justify only what God asks of them; that you can cultivate a life grounded in love, righteousness, and the pursuit of eternal salvation and spread your wealth of wisdom that came from the making the right decisions. Peace be with you always.

Together in prayer. Hand in hand.