The BIG Picture (Shorts)

When standing before a holy God, eternal standing rests entirely on a complete work. Scripture lays out the foundation of salvation with crystal clarity, dividing it into three distinct elements that secure peace with the Father. The foundation begins with God's part , which is grace. Before anyone could reach toward heaven, God initiated the plan of redemption. "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:" (Rom.3:24). This unmerited favor is the original source of salvation, extended to guilty sinners without cost or cause on their end. The payment comes through Christ's part , which is His blood. Divine justice demanded a perfect sacrifice, and Jesus fulfilled that demand entirely on the cross. "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." (Rom.5:9). Through this ultimate sacrifice, propitiation was fully made, satisfying the righteousness of God once for all. Both of t...

Rom 3:21-22  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;  22  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: God’s righteousness demanded the fulfilling of the law, but after the cross of Christ, God’s righteousness no longer required the law. The law was fulfilled by Jesus Christ, and this was the propitiation that would appease God’s righteous requirement. Now, because of the cross, the grace of God is made available to all who believe in Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus now allows God to impute the righteousness of His Son upon all who believe in Him.  The cross of Christ is the most remarkable event and symbol in the history of this world. The cross allows a righteous and just God to remain righteous and just yet be able to declare a verdict of innocence and righteousness upon the guilty. The wisdom and grace of God is...

In the Book of Romans, God uses the phrase "There is no difference" twice, once in Rom.3:22-23 and once in Rom.10:12-13. The first phrase in question speaks to the universal guilt of humanity, encompassing religious Jews, godless Gentiles, refined moralists, and uncivilized barbarians alike. The first three chapters examine their respective privileges and duties, weighing their arguments with due consideration. The verdict drawn is unequivocal: all are equally culpable, having sinned and fallen short of God's glory. The same phrase, when used a second time, pertains to salvation.  It underscores the abundance of God's mercy towards all who call upon His name, promising salvation to those who do so. God's impartiality is evident in both sin and salvation: all are equally accountable for sin and likewise, all have equal access to salvation. The rich, educated, devout, uneducated, or immoral—none are excluded. Christ's sacrifice was for all, enabling everyone t...