Week #2: The Gospel Declares that Sinners Can Be Justified by Faith in Jesus Christ

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 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, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 

Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

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After so much bad news we finally get to the good. Just as the gospel reveals God’s wrath against our sin, so now it reveals how we can again come into God’s presence and have a right standing before Him. The question before us is one of the most important questions in the Bible: how can a holy God have a relationship with those who have offended His holiness through their sin and rebellion? God’s holiness and sense of justice demands that He judge sin; He cannot simply allow the guilty to go unpunished. However, His love compels Him to find a means by which He can save us from His wrath. You see the problem? How can God be both just and yet still justify sinners (declare them to be innocent)?

Enter Jesus. The gospel declares that sinners can be redeemed (bought back) through Jesus Christ. How did God buy us back? By putting forward His own Son as a propitiation for our sins. A propitiation is an offering given to appease the wrath of one offended. As we have seen, our sin offended God’s holiness, and justice demands that we be punished. The sentence for treason against the King of the universe? Death.

Yet God sent His own Son into the world to live a perfect life - the life that none of us have lived. Jesus alone, out of all who have ever lived, did not offend the holiness of God and therefore, Jesus alone stands before God perfectly innocent, not deserving of death. Yet as we have seen in the Book of John, Jesus willingly gave up His own life for us. He stood in our place, and suffered punishment on our behalf so that we could be spared God’s wrath and be declared innocent. Why did He do this? In His own words, “Because God so loved the world”. Only through Jesus could God both punish our sin and pardon us at the same time.

God’s redemption of us is a gift. We do not deserve it and cannot earn it, but can only receive it. How do we receive God’s gift? Through faith. When we turn from our ways and trust in what Christ has done for us, God applies the propitiating work of Jesus to us and receives us back as His own children. This is good news.

• Most religions of the world teach some form of self-justification. As long as we pray correctly, or give enough, or perform religious ceremonies, then God may pardon us. How is the Christian faith different?
• Have you come to place in your life in which you are willing to turn from your previous way of life to follow Jesus Christ by faith and be saved? If not, what is still holding you back from trusting in Him? 

If you are ready to follow Christ, you can begin a relationship through prayer.  Here is an idea of what you may say in your prayer:

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness. I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His blood on the cross and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin. You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9, that if we confess the Lord our God and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we shall be saved. Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Saviour and according to His Word, right now I am saved. Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus that your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore Lord Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honour to you alone and not to myself. Thank you Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life. Amen.

If you have truly come to Christ in faith, the Bible says that God Himself and all the angels are rejoicing over you this very moment, and God has sent His own Spirit to come and live within you. Continue to strive to become rooted in your faith. Find other Christians who can help you in your journey. Find a good church that teaches the Bible. Continue to study God's Word. Most importantly, enjoy God daily. Talk to Him and get to know His voice.