The BIG Picture (Shorts)

In Romans, Paul tells of the "abundance of grace" and "the gift of righteousness" (Rom.5:17) bestowed by God to those who believe in His Son for salvation. The Bible tells us that no one is blameless before God without this gift of grace. Paul writes, "There is none righteous, not even one," showing his empathy for those trying to establish their own righteousness (Rom.10:3), which is futile without saving grace. He points to Abraham, who "believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness" (Rom.4:3). This foreshadowed Christ's atoning death, through which righteousness is now declared and offered to all. "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom.5:8), and "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2Cor.5:21). This righteousness, however, is a gift accessed through faith, for "the one who does not work but believes in Him w...

  In 1Cor.1, Paul reminds believers they will be “blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1:8). It is important for us to realize there are two aspects of a Christian’s perfection. The first is our POSITION before God. Through faith, we have been “made the righteousness of God in Him [Jesus Christ]” (2Cor.5:21). Our position before the Father is now one of perfection in the identity of the Savior. The Father now sees us as holy and perfect. This position will never change. Our daily PRACTICE after salvation is also to be “perfect.” We have been “called to be saints” (1Cor.1:2), and the Lord expects us to seek to live up to a standard of holiness. What does that mean? Paul writes “…I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Thess.5:23). This process involves getting the written Word of God into you. It is the only thing that will wash you (spirit), renew your mind (soul), and influence your actions (body)...