gOOd nEWs..

Our society is sick with sin. We are totally under sin’s control and there’s nothing we can do about it. God is holy and it’s His nature to punish those who commit sinful acts. This means we have only death and hell to look forward to. But God is also loving and does not want us to go to hell. Paul relates to us how God (without compromising on His just and holy nature) declares us “not guilty” despite our sin.

Romans 3: 21-26

God’s good news or the gospel has nothing to do with the law. Why? Because it’s impossible to meet God’s standard in the law. Both A’s fantastic 99.9% obedience and B’s 0.1% obedience to God’s law can be expected to be lumped together in the same “imperfect” category. Since we cannot do anything to save ourselves, God took the initiative to save us and that is what He has done through Jesus’ death on the cross. When we believe that Jesus died for our sins, we receive God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus. In this way, we are “justified” by God. (Justification means to be declared righteous.) Therefore, there is no more condemnation for us during Judgment Day because God’s righteousness (transferred to us through Jesus) puts us right with Him and even now we have the assurance that we are headed for heaven. From the beginning to end, justification is God’s idea.


It is by God’s grace (undeserved mercy) that we are justified. But for justification to work, sin has to be dealt with. And it was dealt with when Jesus died in our place for our sin. Through Jesus, we are redeemed. “Redemption” was the term what was used of slaves who were bought for a place to be set free. Jesus’ blood that was shed is the price that was paid to redeem us from our slavery to sin. Jesus’ death on the cross is also seen as a sacrifice to atone (make amends) for our sins. The practice of sacrificing animals in the Old Testament days was the manner in which people sought to be cleansed from sin. Thus, Jesus’ death on the cross saves us from the penalty, power and pollution of sin.

God offers this salvation free-of-charge to everybody. And in so doing, He demonstrates to us His justice, wisdom, holiness, love and mercy. All that anybody has to do is to reach out in faith and receive His salvation. (Praise God!!!!!)