ROMANS 4:1–3 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:2–3). Is justification by faith alone? Or is justification accomplished through a mixture of faith and good works, of … Continue reading “HOW ARE WE DECLARED JUSTIFIED?”
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WHEN WAS ABRAHAM JUSTIFIED?
JAMES 2:21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? (James 2:21). Paul says that Abraham was justified by faith, but James seems to be saying that Abraham was justified by works. James 2:24 says, “You see that a person is justified by … Continue reading “WHEN WAS ABRAHAM JUSTIFIED?”
THE SIN OF MAN AND THE LAW OF GOD
ROMANS 7:7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what it was to covet if the law had not said, “Do not covet” (Romans 7:7). It is often difficult to distinguish good from … Continue reading “THE SIN OF MAN AND THE LAW OF GOD”
THE CHRISTIAN AND THE LAW OF GOD
PSALM 1 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night (Psalm 1:2). The Protestant Reformers devoted considerable attention to the relationship between God’s law and the believer. They concluded that the Christian relates to the law in three ways. The Law as Mirror and … Continue reading “THE CHRISTIAN AND THE LAW OF GOD”
WHAT IS THE UNPARDONABLE SIN?
MATTHEW 12:22–37 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come (Matthew 12:32). Sometimes Christians become fearful and wonder if perhaps they have committed the “unpardonable sin.” They read … Continue reading “WHAT IS THE UNPARDONABLE SIN?”
GOD IS BOTH JUST AND THE JUSTIFIER
ROMANS 3:26–28 [God demonstrated] his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies the man who has faith in Jesus (Romans 3:26). If God is truly just, how can He overlook the sinfulness of man? Surely a holy and just God must declare man guilty and punish him. … Continue reading “GOD IS BOTH JUST AND THE JUSTIFIER”
GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF SIN
1 JOHN 1:5–10 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). Where does sin ultimately come from? We know that Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden was the first sin and the cause of all … Continue reading “GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF SIN”
THE RADICAL DEPRAVITY OF MAN
EPHESIANS 2:1–10 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins (Ephesians 2:1). Paul begins his discussion in Ephesians 2 by saying that the Ephesians were dead. He does not say that they were almost dead, or gasping for breath about to die. No, he says that they were dead, wholly uninterested in … Continue reading “THE RADICAL DEPRAVITY OF MAN”
ARE ALL SINS EQUALLY BAD?
MATTHEW 23:23–28 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former” (Matthew 23:23). All sins defy God and bring … Continue reading “ARE ALL SINS EQUALLY BAD?”
THE ORIGINAL SIN OF MAN
JEREMIAH 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9). Many people think that the term original in the phrase “original sin” refers to the first sin ever committed, the sin of Adam and Eve. This is not precisely correct. The term original sin has specific reference … Continue reading “THE ORIGINAL SIN OF MAN”