What the Bible says about Justification is a Gift
(From Forerunner Commentary)

Romans 3:19-23 This passage shows us the foundation of understanding justification by faith and thus where we stand in our relationship with God. Paul explains that, regardless of who one is and what he has done that might be considered as righteousness, God owes Him nothing but death because "all have sinned." Sinners are those under the law, and the law condemns them, making them subject to its power to take the sinner's life. Each person's own transgressions against the law and God place him in that position. Sin is something each sinner is responsible for, and once the individual has sinned and earned the death penalty, the sin cannot be forgiven simply because he does good to make up for it. God did not make him sin. A clear example is Adam and Eve: God obviously did not make them sin; each of them chose to sin. Romans 3:20 clearly states that no sinner can justify himself through law-keeping. The law's purpose is to make known what sin is. Once a person sins, everything is seemingly stacked against him. The sinner can in no way make up for what he has done. Therefore, since justification cannot be claimed as a right due to his keeping the law, if a person desires to be forgiven, the only alternative is that justification must be received as a gift. John W. Ritenbaugh Living By Faith and God's Grace (Part Two) Related Topics: All Have Sinned | Forgiveness | God Owes Us Nothing | Justification as a Gift | Justification as Unearned Gift | Justification by Faith | Justification not a Right | Living by Faith and God's Grace | Wages of Sin as Death

 

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