We ended Part 2 of this teaching discussing Abraham believing God, as revealed in Genesis 15:6 and confirmed in Romans 4:3. Paul discusses this matter many times in his writings. Just look at the rest of Romans then jump to the book of Galatians.
Paul makes a strong statement about the difference between grace and law or works. After he gives us the truth about Abraham and believing God, which is all we need to do, he contrasts that with works.
Look at Romans 4:4 “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt”. That simply says when you put in 40 hours on your job at work, they owe you a debt of wages. It’s an agreement of a debt for working. But you see, if we’ll just accept what God has provided for us, it’s not a debt that’s owed, it’s a gift of grace.
God didn’t owe it to me because I worked for it. He gave it to me because he loved me and because I am an heir. The devil pays you wages, but God gives you gifts. Romans 6:23 confirms this. It reads “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”.
The gift of God is righteousness. It’s justification. Just as if I never sinned. I wish most Christians believed that, but sadly they don’t. The devil has them in bondage to fear, guilt and condemnation. The truth is God has given you today the free gift of righteousness and justification.
He doesn’t see you as a sinner, but instead a saint. My names St. Mark today. Who could ever imagine that God would make a saint out of me, but He did. A saint is not just what you do, but who you are.
You are not a sinner anymore. You’re a child of God that may commit sin. You are a child of God that may sin once in awhile. Here’s the misconception to the body of Christ. If I commit a sin, then I’m a sinner. NO, You’re a child of God that sinned.
Here’s another one that gets most Christians. It’s their believing. If I’m not believing, I’m not saved. I mean I’m saved but I have some doubts. That makes me a doubter. NO, You’re a child of God that doubts. Your identity is not that you are a doubter. You’re a child of God that doubts.
You see, you have right standing with God. How could God accept you just the way you are without the great provision of Grace? God provided Grace in His Son. If you believe in His Son you have the Grace of God, and access to everything God has.
My children go to the refrigerator when they are at my place and get anything they want from it. When they are dirty they take a shower. They have access to all we have. They have access because they are our children. Well, we have access to all that God has, because we are his children.
Another meaning to the word Righteousness is to be declared innocent and holy. Your past is gone today. Your sins are not only forgiven, but forgotten. God says he forgives and forgets. If God forgot them, then why don’t we. Because the devil keeps reminding us of them and telling you God is not pleased with you. Many still believe that. If instead they would believe in the finished work of the cross, in what His Son did, then the enemy would back off.
Forget all that the enemy, religion, legalism, and people say. I’m telling you based on the truth in scripture that you are clean, you’re innocent. Oh you may sin, but that doesn’t change your position with God. You are still a saint to God. You are innocent and holy today by Grace. If you’ll accept that and believe that today, you’ll start acting like it.
You see you are free from the act of sin or the deeds of sin and it’s penalty. Yes, there are consequences to sin, but there is no judgement from God. That’s why penitence is not scriptural. God doesn’t require us to do penitence. God asks us to be repentant.
Don’t live in condemnation anymore. You are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Grace is relaxing in what Jesus has already done, not what you can do.
Here is Romans 3:22-24.
22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,
Where does “this righteousness” come from? From God, not from your good works or penitence. How does it come? “Through faith in Jesus Christ”. Not through faith in your ability to try and do good. Who is it for? “All who believe.” Does that sound like John 3:16? Does it sound like the “whosover believeth” portion of that scripture? Yes it does.
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Now this scripture is a favorite of the religious sect. They love to use this scripture incorrectly and say we all sin and fall short of the glory of God. THAT’S NOT WHAT THE SCRIPUTRE SAYS. It says we all HAVE, HAVE, HAVE sinned. Did you get that? It’s past tense. It’s over. It’s done. It’s finished. Don’t let anyone put that lie on you again. Time to give up that sacred cow.
24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
What’s the price for our justification. Well it’s free, but it’s not cheap. God bankrupted heaven for us. It cost Him everything, but it’s free to us. How? “by His Grace” through redemption, or the blood, that came by Christ Jesus. Came how? By Christ Jesus. Does that sound like John 1:17? “Grace and truth CAME by Jesus Christ.
God makes the bible really easy to understand. We confuse it and make it hard with religious sounding false statements based on our opinions, because we just can’t accept the free gift that has been provided by grace.
Here's the great thing about God's grace. His grace is greater and it's not just simple grace. It's abundant grace. Need proof? Stick with me on this teaching as we conclude it with Part 4 and put the nail in the coffin of religion, works, legalism and tradition. It just keeps getting worse for those who believe in performance as opposed to God's promises. Grace and Peace.
