Theology for Everybody: RomansSample

(Continued from Day 34)

Justification by faith is one of the three towering truths of salvation that Paul expounds upon in the remainder of Romans. Here are those major theological concepts:

·God’s work for us: we are justified by grace and declared righteous by God through faith in Jesus Christ by imputed (assigned) righteousness.

·God’s work in us: we are regenerated, or born again, by the power of the Holy Spirit by imparted (conveyed) righteousness.

·God’s work through us: we live the Christian life as members of the Church doing ministry to serve the mission of God as the fruit of imputed and imparted righteousness.

Ultimately, you only have one of three options. First, you are unrighteous before God, and there’s nothing you can do about it. You only have half of the gospel if you believe this. That option leads to despair. Second, you can choose self-righteousness. You can believe you are good and moral, but you actually think you’re better than you really are. Pride is the sin that got Satan kicked out of heaven. Augustine said, “Pride is like a mother pregnant with all the other sins.” Religious pride makes us think we are the best when we are the worst. Paul was full of pride before he met Jesus. Finally, you can accept gift righteousness. You recognize that you are unrighteous, and only Jesus is righteous. He gives you His righteousness as a gift. Now, in the sight of God, you are righteous because of Jesus Christ! When you die and stand before God, Jesus is the only answer you need. You can say, “I’m with Him. I’m with Him.” He takes care of everything you need when you fully trust in Him.

Today’s Reflection

Have you received God’s righteousness as a gift of grace by putting your faith in Jesus Christ?