A common theme runs through much of the new Testament books, as they progress these steps seem evident. The Gospel of Jesus Christ..
1. God is whom we are accountable.
2. Our problem is that we rebelled against God.
3. God's solution to humanity's sin is the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
4. How do I, myself, right here, right now - how do I come to be included in that salvation? What makes this good news for me and not just for someone else?
God is to whom we are accountable. Each one of us knew God but rejected him. I know I'll pick up some flack for this, because you'll say, "What about the people who never knew about Jesus Christ in some far and distant land?" I'm just going by what Romans 1:20-23 says,
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being nderstood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.
23 And changed the glory of the uncorrumptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to like birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Our problem is that we rebelled against God.
So Paul is imagining the Jews, the spiritual leaders of the time, reading this and rejoicing in the condemnation of the gentiles here, but Paul changes directions in Romans 2:1-3
1 Therefore thought art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest; for wherein though judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them with commit such things.
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
And Romans 3:9-18
9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin.
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no not one.
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good; no, not one.
13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 Destruction and misery are in they ways.
17 And the way of peace they have not known.
18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
God's solution to humanity's sin is the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Having laid out the bad news of the predicament we face as sinners before our righteous God, now we turn to the good news, the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law.
In other words, there is a way for human beings to be counted righteous before God instead of unrighteous, to be declared innocent instead of guilty, to be justified instead of condemned. And it has nothing to do with acting better or living a more righteous life. It comes from "apart from the law."
How do I become included in this promised salvation?
How you can yourself be included in this salvation.
Through faith in Jesus Christ, for all who believe. So how does this salvation become good news for me, and not just for someone else? How do I come to be included in it? By believing in Jesus Christ.. By trusting in him and no other to save you.
To the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness. (romans 4:5)
1. God is whom we are accountable.
2. Our problem is that we rebelled against God.
3. God's solution to humanity's sin is the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
4. How do I, myself, right here, right now - how do I come to be included in that salvation? What makes this good news for me and not just for someone else?
God is to whom we are accountable. Each one of us knew God but rejected him. I know I'll pick up some flack for this, because you'll say, "What about the people who never knew about Jesus Christ in some far and distant land?" I'm just going by what Romans 1:20-23 says,
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being nderstood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.
23 And changed the glory of the uncorrumptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to like birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Our problem is that we rebelled against God.
So Paul is imagining the Jews, the spiritual leaders of the time, reading this and rejoicing in the condemnation of the gentiles here, but Paul changes directions in Romans 2:1-3
1 Therefore thought art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest; for wherein though judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them with commit such things.
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
And Romans 3:9-18
9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin.
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no not one.
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good; no, not one.
13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 Destruction and misery are in they ways.
17 And the way of peace they have not known.
18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
God's solution to humanity's sin is the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Having laid out the bad news of the predicament we face as sinners before our righteous God, now we turn to the good news, the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law.
In other words, there is a way for human beings to be counted righteous before God instead of unrighteous, to be declared innocent instead of guilty, to be justified instead of condemned. And it has nothing to do with acting better or living a more righteous life. It comes from "apart from the law."
How do I become included in this promised salvation?
How you can yourself be included in this salvation.
Through faith in Jesus Christ, for all who believe. So how does this salvation become good news for me, and not just for someone else? How do I come to be included in it? By believing in Jesus Christ.. By trusting in him and no other to save you.
To the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness. (romans 4:5)
