The Gospel of Grace
When we turn to the Bible, we should not be looking for rules to obey. Instead, we should be looking for the Gospel of grace, which is the power of God unto salvation and the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith. This means that we should focus on justification by faith and on understanding the Gospel as an announcement of our qualification to receive an inheritance in Christ (1 Peter 1:3-5, Ephesians 1:11, Colossians 1:12-14). We should also recognize the importance of Christ’s righteousness in securing our salvation and giving us confidence and assurance in our relationship with Him. Ultimately, we should aim to live by faith, believing in Jesus and nothing else, and to enjoy the blessing of God which is given to us freely in Him.
Christ as Our Righteousness
Christ is our righteousness, sanctification, and reward. We do not need to earn what He has given to us in Himself. We are not to resort to the self-deceived attempt of law-keeping to be made right with God. As 1 Corinthians 1:30 says, “Christ Jesus…became for us wisdom from God–that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.” And Galatians 2:16 reminds us, “A person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.” We live by faith in the One who loved us and gave Himself for us (Gal 2:19-21).
Understanding the Gospel as inheritance means that we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ (Ephesians 1:11-14). We are made righteous by faith in Jesus and not by our own works. Philippians 3:9 says, “and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ–the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”
Living by faith means believing in Jesus and nothing else. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
In conclusion, focusing on the Gospel of grace, not rules, is essential for our growth and our enjoyment of our salvation. We should understand Christ as our righteousness and recognize the importance of justification by faith. As we live by faith, we can have confidence and assurance in our relationship with Him.
Keywords:
- Grace
- Gospel
- Righteousness
- Sanctification
- Assurance
- Inheritance
I. Introduction
A. The Bible is not a book of rules to obey (Romans 3:20)
II. The Gospel of Grace
A. The power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16)
B. The righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith (Romans 1:17)
III. Christ as Our Righteousness
A. Our righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30)
B. Our sanctification (1 Corinthians 1:30)
C. Our reward (2 Timothy 4:8)
IV. Justification by Faith
A. Focus on justification by faith (Romans 3:28)
B. Understanding the Gospel as inheritance (Ephesians 1:11)
V. Christ’s Righteousness
A. Importance of Christ’s righteousness in securing our salvation (Romans 5:19)
B. Confidence and assurance in our relationship with Him (Philippians 3:9)
VI. Living by Faith
A. Aim to live by faith (Galatians 2:20)
B. Believing in Jesus and nothing else (John 14:6)
C. Letting God’s blessing be upon us (Galatians 3:14)