The Bible does not leave us in the dark about this critical issue. Here is what we find in Romans 3:21-26 (KJB):
21 But now the righteousness of God without the Law is manifested, being witnessed by The Law and The Prophets; [the entire Old Testament]
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
What do we learn from this passage?
1. The keeping of the Law (the Law of Moses under the Old Covenant) cannot make anyone as righteous as God (which is what He demands).
2. The entire Tanakh (the Old Testament) testifies to this fact.
3. It is only by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that a sinner may be declared righteous (justified).
4. All humans beings have sinned, and all need redemption.
5. God therefore justifies FREELY BY HIS GRACE those who put their faith in Christ, and the blood He shed for our sins on Calvary.
6. God Himself made Christ the Propitiation for the sins of the whole world. Which means that Christ as the Lamb of God was the perfect and complete sacrifice for all the sins of the world.
7. It is the sacrifice of Christ that makes it possible for God to forgive or remit the sins of the one who calls upon the name of the Lord to be saved.
8. Thus God declares His own righteousness and also declares the believer as being righteous (justified) in His sight. Thus also God is just and the Justifier of the ungodly.
9. Since the penalty for sins has been paid in full, God offers His grace, pardon, and redemption to those who are His enemies.
10. But those who have been saved by grace are commanded to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Titus 2:11-14).
21 But now the righteousness of God without the Law is manifested, being witnessed by The Law and The Prophets; [the entire Old Testament]
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
What do we learn from this passage?
1. The keeping of the Law (the Law of Moses under the Old Covenant) cannot make anyone as righteous as God (which is what He demands).
2. The entire Tanakh (the Old Testament) testifies to this fact.
3. It is only by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that a sinner may be declared righteous (justified).
4. All humans beings have sinned, and all need redemption.
5. God therefore justifies FREELY BY HIS GRACE those who put their faith in Christ, and the blood He shed for our sins on Calvary.
6. God Himself made Christ the Propitiation for the sins of the whole world. Which means that Christ as the Lamb of God was the perfect and complete sacrifice for all the sins of the world.
7. It is the sacrifice of Christ that makes it possible for God to forgive or remit the sins of the one who calls upon the name of the Lord to be saved.
8. Thus God declares His own righteousness and also declares the believer as being righteous (justified) in His sight. Thus also God is just and the Justifier of the ungodly.
9. Since the penalty for sins has been paid in full, God offers His grace, pardon, and redemption to those who are His enemies.
10. But those who have been saved by grace are commanded to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Titus 2:11-14).
