“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I BRING YOU GOOD NEWS THAT WILL CAUSE GREAT JOY FOR ALL THE PEOPLE. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:8-11, emphasis mine).
Many people find it difficult to embrace the Good News (of grace) because they don’t understand the bad news that we are all guilty before God and deserve to die. The Bible says, "where there's no law, there's no transgression" (Romans 4:15). In other words, no one would be guilty of sin if there were no law, "for by the law is the knowledge of sin." (see Romans 3:20). "To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law." (see Romans 5:13 NIV). In Romans 1:22-32, the apostle Paul lists over 23 different kinds of sin including idolatry, murder, envy, gossip, disobedience to parents, lack of understanding, pride, and deceit, and then declares that "all who do such things DESERVE DEATH." In Romans 14:23, Paul expands the list of sins to include anything that is not of faith (which will include our doubts or worries). James also expands the list of sins further to include anything we know is good but fail to do. (see James 4:17). Such all-encompassing definition of sin makes Paul's pronouncement in Romans 3:23 that "ALL HAVE SINNED and fall short of the glory of God" all the more compelling. It also makes the declaration in Romans 6:23 that "the wages of sin is death" all the more scary.
The truth remains, my dear friend, that no man can stand before God on Judgment Day and claim they’re without sin. We are all guilty as charged. We are all guilty before God, and we all deserve to be punished with the full measure of God's wrath. We all deserve to perish in hell. And we can't redeem ourselves from this punishment just by "doing good." Our "good deeds" cannot atone for our sins. And no matter how much "good" we do, we will always fall short (see Romans 3:23). So how do we get out of this guilty verdict and its consequence? Since we can’t save ourselves, we just need to be humble and admit that we need a Savior! And the good news is that “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.” (see Luke 2:11). Jesus Christ, the Son of God is our Savior. This is why Romans 3:24 says, “ALL ARE JUSTIFIED FREELY by His GRACE through the redemption that CAME BY CHRIST JESUS.” We who believe in Jesus Christ have transitioned from being guilty in Romans 3:23 to being justified freely in Romans 3:24. Hallelujah! We are acquitted of all charges! “For as IN ADAM all die, even so IN CHRIST all shall be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22, NKJV). As in Adam all were made sinners, even so in Christ all are made righteous. (see Romans 5:19, with 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 1:30). Isn't this Good News? Doesn’t this make you want to scream "thank you Jesus?" Doesn’t this call for celebration?
Beloved, this is the amazing grace we often sing about. We have all been FREELY JUSTIFIED by His grace. We did not work for our justification. Our right standing with God is “without works” (Romans 4:6), “without the deeds of the Law” (Romans 3:28), “not of works” (Ephesians 2:9), “It is the Gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). The Bible also says in Romans 11:6, “And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.” This certainly leaves no room for boasting. Thus Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, SO THAT NO ONE CAN BOAST."
Jesus has borne the full punishment for our sins, and all we have to do to be saved is BELIEVE in His atonement for our sins. This is the Good News Paul and all the other apostles preached. Paul affirms this good news when he declares: "Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS: "And by him ALL THAT BELIEVE are JUSTIFIED FROM ALL THINGS, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." (Acts 13:38-39 KJV, emphasis mine). John also declares that Jesus Christ is “the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). What this means is that Jesus has paid the penalty for everyone's sins. That is called grace (unmerited, undeserved favor). But you have to put faith in what Jesus has already accomplished; you have to believe it in order to be saved (see Ephesians 2:8). Jesus bore the full extent of God's wrath against sin, as He who knew no sin became sin (see 2 Corinthians 5:21) and was forsaken by God (see Matthew 27:46), so that you and I will be reconciled to God (see 2 Corinthians 5:19). Thus Peter proclaims: “For Christ also hath ONCE suffered for sins, THE JUST FOR THE UNJUST, that He might BRING US TO GOD …” (1 Peter 3:18, emphasis mine). And Paul adds, "In Him (Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RICHES OF GOD'S GRACE.” (Ephesians 1:7, brackets and emphasis mine). This, my dear friend, is the good news! This is the gospel! It sounds nearly too good to be true. But that is why it is called the "Gospel." And it is the good news we celebrate this and every day.
May you accept this gospel of grace and put your faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who alone can save you. Be blessed.
I share this message, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16).
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