The Results of the Gospel

During my ordination examination, Dr. Harold Wilmington, Dean of the Liberty Bible Institute and known as Mr. Bible to us at Liberty and Thomas Road Baptist Church asked me to turn in my Bible to Romans 3:24. Along with verse 23 and verses 25 and 26 he asked me to read and define all the keywords to explain my doctrinal positions.  Within these verses would be some of the most significant words about the salvation we enjoy.

Per his instructions, I read aloud Romans 3:23- 26 which says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus”

Having heard me read the verses Dr. Wilmington interjected that I would focus my attention first on Romans 3:24.  I think he had good reason to ask that for as one looks at Romans 3:24 one sees the words of ” being justified” – “freely” – “by His” – “grace” – “through the redemption” – “that comes from Jesus Christ.” Those six words/statements teach much of what we need to know about our salvation. First and foremost our salvation is not accomplished by us. It is Christ who justifies us. In justifying us He declares us righteous as His righteousness has been put into us just as our sins were laid on Him. (What an exchange.) Having His righteousness means we can stand before God as we are as righteous as Christ. Furthermore, it is provided to us freely as our works do not work and we cannot buy or earn salvation. It is provided by His grace.  The Big idea of grace is He gives us what we do not deserve. This all happens because Christ redeemed us or purchased our salvation. If we are saved, we say we are redeemed.  That means we have been purchased out of the slave market to be set free from bondage. 

I am not sure about you but reading Romans 3:24 and knowing all that Christ did for me makes me want to say worthy is the Lamb!  

For March 24, let us remember 1 Peter 2:24. 1 Peter 2:24 says, “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness — by whose stripes you were healed.”

The death of Jesus Christ was so we could have a new life with the ultimate being eternal life but there is also life on earth until then.  The life that is to be lived now is living righteously and one of the reasons we do so is because Christ gave His life to save us from sin.   When we survey the cross, it demands our life, our soul, our all.   Are you living differently?

On March 24 we encourage you to read Matthew 24 and Psalm 22 to recall our Lord’s teaching about His second coming and to be reminded of the Prophecy that is written in Psalm 22 about the Messiah as we begin Passion Week.   

You can find the Bible reading plan on the Date the Word app.

Continue Strong this March Remembering our Savior,
And remember to DATE the Word