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THE GOSPEL OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD |
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Article by By Donna J. Shepherd — © 2005, all rights reserved
God is the judge
God is the moral governor of the universe, the judge of
all the earth. Isaiah 45:24 - "Surely, shall
one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength:
even
to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against
him shall be ashamed.” We see our need to come to
the Lord for righteousness.
We need a Savior
Starting with the first chapter of Romans, Paul proclaims, “For
I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the
power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;
to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein
is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:
as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the
wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness
and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness"(Romans
1:16-18).
These verses state the power of the gospel, the aim of
the gospel which is salvation, and that the extent of
the gospel is to everyone, to the Jew first, and also
to the Greek, and that the righteous will live by faith.
In verse 18, we see God’s nature and power is ‘revealed’ or
made plain and clearly seen and understood so we are
without excuse. God’s wrath is a response of his
holiness to sin.
In the third chapter of Romans, Paul states there is none righteous, none that understand, none that seek God, and all
have gone out of the way, become unprofitable, and none do good. We need a savior.
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A pardon by grace
In Romans 3:22, Paul states, “Even
the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ
unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is
no difference.”
There is no difference in the fact of sin, the fact
of God’s love for us, the power of Christ’s
death, or the appropriation. Everyone must come to God
through faith in Jesus Christ.
Because sinners are justified on the basis of their
faith, it is not by the Law that people are justified
before God. A righteous God desires to pardon us. We
receive this pardon by grace, and because of the redemptive
work accomplished by Jesus Christ. Jesus’ sacrificial
death atones for our guilt. When we accept Jesus Christ
by faith, God then bestows a righteous status on us.
Justified by grace
In the gospel, the God’s way of righteousness
is revealed – a way based on the principle of
faith. According to verses 22-26 in Romans 3, we must
believe in Jesus, and are justified by grace. All of
the law’s benefits are credited to us through
our faith in Jesus Christ.
God is righteous. We cannot become righteous on our
own merit or work that can be done. In Romans 4:9-12,
Paul tells us that faith was credited to Abraham for
righteousness; this was 14 years before he was circumcised,
and before the Law was given. Righteousness was imputed
to Abraham as a seal of faith by God’s grace.
Righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ
So by faith, we accept Jesus Christ Who delivers us
from the penalty and the power of sin. As Paul says
in the sixth chapter of Romans, man is made free from
sin, and becomes the servant of righteousness.
The death of Christ is the means by which God removes
our sin. It is by faith alone, not by legal works, that
we receive the righteous status God grants to us by
His grace.
Romans 10:4, “For Christ is the end of the
law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
I'm so thankful for God's provision. Have you accepted
His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ?
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Children’s author and inspirational writer, Donna
J. Shepherd, looks at everyday life and finds God's fingerprints
everywhere. Donna's writing touches the heart with wisdom
and humor. Visit her website, Devotionals by Donna, at
www.donnashepherd.com |
Scripture taken from the
Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright ©
1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights
reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International
Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered
trademarks of International Bible Society. Use of either
trademark for the offering of goods or services requires
the prior written consent of International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy
Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used
by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton,
IL 60189, USA. All rights reserved.
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Recommended
Reading
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ROMANS 10:13-15
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"For "Anyone who calls on the name of the
Lord will be saved."
But how can they call on him to save them unless they
believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they
have never heard about him? And how can they hear about
him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go
and tell them without being sent? That is what the Scriptures
mean when they say, "How beautiful are the feet
of those who bring good news!"
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(NLT)
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