16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Romans 1:16-17
Someone once asked if a murderer, arsonist, and rapist believed in Jesus before he died, and all his sins would be forgiven and he would not have to face the judgment of hell. This is so unfair! How can I believe that God is righteous?!
How is the righteousness of God revealed in this gospel?
When we sin against God, we fall short of the glory of God, and we should have been cursed to leave God’s love and face!
Do we have to work hard for our salvation, sacrifice thousands of cattle and sheep, give all our wealth, and devote all our efforts, money, time, and health to repent before God? But unfortunately, all these still cannot bring us to God! In fact, no matter what we do, we cannot exchange for God’s forgiveness!
9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4 : 9-10
God can simply say forgive our sins and our sins are forgiven! God didn’t do that either. God has prepared a propitiation for us! Let his Son be crucified for us to ransom all our sins and face the rejection and judgment of a righteous God!
From eternity to eternity, the love and unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have never been broken! Only at the cross alone, Christ cried out: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me! The Father’s heart was truly pierced. But he still had to personally forsake his sons, who were going through the greatest pain ever! Do you understand that God’s righteousness is manifested in this gospel? Yes! This gospel is the power of God! Show God’s perfect righteousness and love!
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