Most Christians when they are evengelizing unbelievers will qoute Romans 3:23 " for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." They are saying this to prove that the person they are talking with, no matter how he may think of himself will be able to know and admit that he is a sinner because "all" have sinned.
Since the Christian is supposed to be the bringer of the "gospel" or good news, he will now proclaim that after admitting that he is a sinner, the person must now repent, say the sinners prayer SO THAT he will be justified of his sins only after sincerely doing the given conditions....
BUT WAIT....
The GOOD NEWS is in Romans 3:24. which unfortunately most preachers do not quote.
" and are JUSTIFIED by his grace as a gift, through Christ Jesus..." Romans 3:24
AHA...
Who are justified ( past tense ) by his grace ? What is the subject of " are justified ?
OPPS... Don't be too sure you know.....
Let us put verses 23 and 24 : " for ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and ARE JUSTIFIED by his grace as a gift through Christ Jesus...
The GOOD NEWS: ALL have sinned... ALL are justified...
Our salvation , our justification is all Centered in Christ..
Why does the verse preceding verse 23 say: "righteousness of God...unto all and upon all them that believe..."? He then goes on to say in verse 26: "To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."
ReplyDeleteI see believing preceding verse 23 and in the verses to follow 23 and 24. It seems that 23 and 24 are sandwiched in-between verses on believing. The context seems to be arguing believing the entire time, so just quoting 23 and 24 appears to me to be isolating such verses from its context.
I see the one justified by believing. Paul did say in Acts 13:39 that the one that believes is justified from all things. Abraham was justified on account of his believing Romans 4 teaches.
I look forward to hearing your response, as I am trying to study this whole thing out.
Thank you!