Justified by Faith

Readings:
II Chronicles 28
Romans 1:1-17

Focus:
Romans 1:17b: "Whoever is justified through faith shall gain life."

This statement is the heart of the gospel. The book of Romans sets out the gospel most clearly in all the Bible, and already in the first chapter Paul states it in just a few words.

People are not saved--do not gain eternal life with God--by doing anything. It is not by following rules, or through good deeds, or by being good people, that they are saved. It is by faith and faith only.

When we realize that we need God, when we are sorry for what we have done wrong, when we want to turn away from doing wrong and try not to do wrong any more, when we ask for forgiveness and put our faith in God, then we are saved.

This is what it means to be "justified". When we put our faith in God and he forgives us, he substitutes Jesus's sinless state for our sinful condition. He considers us as if we were just (righteous), and makes it possible for us to be with him eternally.

It's the best deal ever.