The Joy Of Experiencing Forgiveness

There may be some who will testify they have never committed such sin as stated above. Yet, do you love your neighbor as you love yourself? Are you willing to lay down your life for a friend? Do you bless to those who despitefully use you? Remember, if we are guilty in one point, we are guilty of all. The Law did not improve our condition nor worsen our condition, but it simply exposed our condition. Paul admitted that until the law came, he did not know what sin was. The law identified sin and exposed it. The Law made our sin to appear exceedingly sinful. The fourth proposition set forth by the apostle is in Romans 3:24,

“yet now God declares us “not guilty” of offending him if we trust in Jesus Christ, who in his kindness freely takes away our sins.”

Paul uses all these terms to amplify his point but any one of them would have been sufficient: Justified means that we have been pardoned and accepted; freely means that this was done for us without any merit of our own. We have received this gift from God freely; by his grace means it comes to us through God’s unmerited favor without any self-righteousness or works; and finally, Through the redemption which means that the price was paid in full by Christ. There is no justification without it being freely given. If we could work it out, we would receive justification as payment and not a gift. If it is a gift, we can make no payment. Paul’s propositions are clear: There is none righteous, no not one; all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God; the Law is good because the Law exposes sin; and finally, all are justified, freely by faith in Christ Jesus. After sharing the doctrinal facts, Paul set forth his practical examples. The first example is Abraham, the father of the faith. Paul uses his example to prove that Abraham moved out in faith before he was circumcised.

"For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." Romans 4:3

The Jews were proud of their heritage and proud of Abraham as their father. Paul was not trying to under-mine the value of the law, nor their claim to Abraham, he was pointing out the value of faith. He set out to prove that Abraham was accepted because of his faith and not solely on the merit of his deeds. Good deeds could never save a man. If keeping the law could save a man, then salvation could be earned. If salvation could be earned it would be a matter of payment or indebtedness and not faith. Abraham simply believed God and moved out in faith! Because Abraham believed God, righteousness was imputed to him. God put righteousness on Abraham’s account.

Years ago, many country stores maintained a ledger for their neighborhood customers. Their most faithful customers were usually farmers. Normally, farmers receive little income until harvest time. The owners of the stores would allow the farmers to get whatever was needed on credit. He would simply put it on an account. In the same way, God accredited Abraham with righteousness. Abraham was not perfect and made many recorded mistakes, but he was accounted righteous by God because of his faith. Abraham believed God and righteousness was placed on his account. For the believer, Jesus Christ has become our righteousness.