Our current Bible Study is in the Book of Romans, and we just discussed Chapter four.  It speaks of faith, righteousness and justification.  In chapter 3:20 we read, no one will be justified in God’s sight by works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.  To be justified means to be made right. 

 

So how is sinful man made right with a Holy God?  3:21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.  24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

 

So Paul is saying that we have a righteous standing before God through the work of Jesus Christ.  Not by the work of keeping the law.  Although, once we have asked Jesus to be the Lord of our lives, we have the Holy Spirit that helps us overcome our inward sinful nature.  The Holy Spirit of God, after we accept Jesus Christ, gives us righteousness before God.  That is the most encouraging, incredible promise in the Bible!   Do it today!

 

Paul continues that we are all born of Adam, under the reign of sin.  The self-centered characteristics of the sinful Adam are in us all.  Only with the help of the Holy Spirit can we break away from that sinful nature.  Paul is contrasting the actions of Adam and Christ.  Adam’s sin brought eternal death to his physical descendants, all mankind.  Likewise though, Christ’s life of obedience gives eternal life to His spiritual descendants, all those that follow Him.

 

Romans 5:20 The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

I’ve heard it said that, You can’t out sin the Grace of God!  Simply meaning that anyone can humbly come before God with, sincere repentance, and be forgiven! That is also an encouraging Bible promise.  (But we are warned in the Bible that it is not a free ticket to sin)