The crowd was undecided. Each person needed to make up their mind and choose which side they would form an allegiance. Sorting out the facts was so difficult because conflicting facts each seemed to be true. How could they know for sure what was right? In the end, the people decided and the crowd was divided. Their final decisions were not based on the facts, but on a reputation.
And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. (Luke 7:29-30)
The publicans held that God was righteous and therefore followed him with their act of submission to baptism. The Pharisees and lawyers rejected him or treated him with distain. Their acts followed too. The scriptures say that the publicans justified God or rendered that God was just or innocent. Just or innocent of what? They believed that God, who is righteous and good, will always work on our behalf with love, mercy and according to truth.
As these people did, we likewise face the same type of decision on a daily basis. Should we submit to God's plan and will for our lives or should we reject it? How we decide will be determined by our faith and view of him. Victory by faith does not occur by focusing on circumstances and then believing that God will overcome them. Victory is gained by focusing on God. Focusing on God's holiness, justice, love, mercy and truth will always make the exercising of faith much easier. If there is one thing that we can count on, it is that God will always do what is good, just and best for us. When we have this view of God our faith will justify God just as the Publicans did.
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