Think Like a RomanSample

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE ABOUT SALVATION?

In the last section, Paul explained that we are all under the power of sin and that no one is righteous, not even one. Without God, without a Saviour, we were all in bad shape. But there is hope! Jesus came so that we would have a way to reconcile with God. His death and resurrection opened the door so that we would be reunited with God. So how does that happen?

Today we are going to discover how are we saved. Paul explains salvation in Romans 3:21-31. We are saved, justified, by faith alone. It is given to us as a free gift through belief in Jesus Christ. Through Christ’s sacrifice of atonement and the shedding of his blood, we are saved, reconciled with God and given eternal life. You can’t work at your salvation; it is a gift of God.

Justification means to be declared righteous in God’s sight. Simply put, to justify is to declare righteous. Justification is an act of God whereby He pronounces a sinner to be righteous because of that sinner’s faith in Christ. And the great thing about salvation is that it comes with so many benefits. In Romans 5:1-15 Paul outlines the benefits: we have peace with God, access to grace and hope of glory.

But how can all sin, for all people across all time be justified through the one act of Jesus dying for us? In Romans 5:12, Paul points out that sin entered the world through one man (Adam), and death came with sin. This is the original sin, where the image of God in mankind has been marred and tarnished. Paul confirms ‘death came to all people because all sinned. But Jesus.. just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people (5:18). Where Adam messed up, Christ fixed it. Where there was once condemnation before the law, there is now grace. Where sin once reigned, there is now life. How grateful are you for Jesus!

Prayer Point: Lord Jesus, thank you so much for coming to die on the cross so that I can be saved. Thank you that your life, death and resurrection resulted in justification and life for all people. Thank you that I now have peace with God, access to grace and hope of an eternal glory.

If you haven’t received the free gift of salvation and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, then today is your day. It’s as simple as saying: Jesus I accept that I am a sinner in need of salvation, and today I say yes to the free gift of salvation and freedom from sin through what you did on the cross. I accept you as Lord and Saviour of my life, fill me with your Holy Spirit, help me to follow you. Amen.