Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?
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“For
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that
brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the
Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a
righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is
written: “The righteous will live by faith.”” [Romans 1:16-17]
"The just shall live by faith."
Paul
was not ashamed to take God’s good news to sophisticated Rome, even
though the message had proved to be a stumbling block to the Jews and
foolishness to the Greeks, for he knew that it is the power of God to
salvation—that is, it tells how God by His power saves everyone who
believes on His Son. This power is extended equally to Jews and Greeks.
The order for the Jew first and also for the Greek was fulfilled
historically during the Acts period. While we have an enduring
obligation to God’s ancient people, the Jews, we are not required to
evangelize them before going to the Gentiles. Today God deals with Jews
and Gentiles on the same basis, and the message and timing are the same
to all.
The righteousness of God refers to the perfect standing which God provides for those who believe on His Son. Those who are not in themselves righteous are treated as if they were righteous because God sees them in all the perfection of Christ. Righteousness is imputed to their account. The righteousness of God seems to refer especially to His way of justifying sinners by faith.
The righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel. First the gospel tells us that God’s righteousness demands that sins be punished, and the penalty is eternal death. But then we hear that God’s love provided what His righteousness demanded. He sent His Son to die as a Substitute for sinners, paying the penalty in full. Now because His righteous claims have been fully satisfied, God can righteously save all those who avail themselves of the work of Christ. God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, by faith from start to finish.
God’s righteousness is not imputed on the basis of works or made available to those who seek to earn or deserve it. It is revealed on the principle of faith alone. This is in perfect agreement with the divine decree in Habakkuk 2:4, “The just shall live by faith,” which may also be understood to mean “The justified-by-faith ones shall live.”
Why do men need the gospel? The answer, in brief, is because they are lost without it.
Do you have the saving faith?
The righteousness of God refers to the perfect standing which God provides for those who believe on His Son. Those who are not in themselves righteous are treated as if they were righteous because God sees them in all the perfection of Christ. Righteousness is imputed to their account. The righteousness of God seems to refer especially to His way of justifying sinners by faith.
The righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel. First the gospel tells us that God’s righteousness demands that sins be punished, and the penalty is eternal death. But then we hear that God’s love provided what His righteousness demanded. He sent His Son to die as a Substitute for sinners, paying the penalty in full. Now because His righteous claims have been fully satisfied, God can righteously save all those who avail themselves of the work of Christ. God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, by faith from start to finish.
God’s righteousness is not imputed on the basis of works or made available to those who seek to earn or deserve it. It is revealed on the principle of faith alone. This is in perfect agreement with the divine decree in Habakkuk 2:4, “The just shall live by faith,” which may also be understood to mean “The justified-by-faith ones shall live.”
Why do men need the gospel? The answer, in brief, is because they are lost without it.
Do you have the saving faith?
Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Take hold of His powerful hand.
He will lift you up in His mighty love.
In the strength of your God you can stand.
Take hold of His powerful hand.
He will lift you up in His mighty love.
In the strength of your God you can stand.
"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting"
“As
he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed
around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul,
Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I
am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.” [Acts 9:3-5]
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