Redeemed By the Blood of Christ (Rom. 3:19-31)

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Dr. CJ Walker

Broomfield Baptist

Saved & Sanctified Series • Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago • Presented 4 years ago • 1:34:53

Romans 3:19–31

Righteousness

Romans & Galatians

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Faith in Jesus Christ alone accomplishes for us what we could never do on our own by making the way through His blood as applied to the Mercy-Seat of God in Heaven for Him to fully and finally justify all believers through His great grace for redemption and the remission of sins.

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Introduction:

Romans 3:21–26 KJV 1900

21 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: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Illustrate from Genes 1-5 our need to be restored - Because of the Fall, we have all missed the mark of God’s glory, and ever since Adam & Eve, mankind has attempted to figure out a way to get sin covered, but only the intervention of God, and the shedding of blood can restore. Paul is showing us the great power of the Good News here through what Jesus has done for all who would believe on His name.

Main Thought: Faith in Jesus Christ alone can bring you into a right relationship with a thrice holy God, reliance on any other means will never measure up:

The relief that comes when you lay down the law and learn to lean on the Lord instead

If you don’t lay down the law, then neither will God

Lay the law at the feet of Jesus, and let Him lift you up to God by faith

Stop trying so hard to do what will never work, when Jesus has already done for you all that you need to be right with God

Sub-intro:

Include a brief synopsis of Rom. 1:1-3:18...

Body:

I. Paul’s Summary: Concluding Observations Concerning the Whole of Sinful Mankind Before God (Rom. 3:19-20)

A. When the Law Speaks (Rom. 3:19a)

Romans 3:19 KJV 1900

19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Note - Courtroom Scene;

B. Our Mouths Are Stopped (Rom. 3:19b-20)

Romans 3:20 KJV 1900

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

People were “silenced” in a law court when they could raise no objections in their own defense.

Psalm 107:42 KJV 1900

42 The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: And all iniquity shall stop her mouth.

Job 40:4–5 KJV 1900

4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. 5 Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: Yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.

Job 42:6 KJV 1900

6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent In dust and ashes.

Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), Ro 3:19.

SILENT BEFORE GOD

The last time someone accused you of wrongdoing, how did you react? With denial, argument, and defensiveness? The Bible says the world stands silent and accountable before Almighty God. No excuses or arguments are left. Have you reached the point with God where you are ready to put away your defenses and await his decision? If not, you need to ask what is keeping you from admitting your sin to him. For the person who has submitted to God, the following verses are truly good news!

Bruce B. Barton, David Veerman, and Neil S. Wilson, Romans, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1992), 70.

1. The Law Can Never Declare You Righteous (Rom. 3:20a)

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by C. S. Lewis. In the fourth chapter of this book (1950), one sees the downward movement of Edmund after he has followed his wicked heart and come under the White Witch’s power. He becomes progressively self-focused in his lust for the Turkish Delight. He spirals out of control, finally becoming indiscreet, vain, antisocial, and alienated from everyone, including his own siblings, whom, in his self-focus, he betrays and endangers. In short, he can think of nothing but his addiction to self and instant gratification. This is an excellent study in the alienating power of sin.

C. Marvin Pate, Romans, ed. Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton, Teach the Text Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2013), 75.

2. The Law Can Only Condemn of Sin (Rom. 3:20b)

The knowledge of sin only by the law:—All that the law does is to show us how sinful we are. Paul has been quoting from the sacred Scriptures; and truly they shed a lurid light upon the condition of human nature. This light can show us our sin; but it cannot take it away. The law of the Lord is like a looking-glass. Now, a looking-glass is a capital thing for finding out where the spots are on your face; but you cannot wash in a looking-glass, you cannot get rid of the spots by looking in the glass. The law is intended to show a man how much he needs cleansing; but the law cannot cleanse him. The law proves that we are condemned, but it does not bring us our pardon. (C. H. Spurgeon.)

Joseph S. Exell, The Biblical Illustrator: Romans, vol. 1 (New York; Chicago; Toronto; London; Edinburgh: Fleming H. Revell Company, n.d.), 227.

The heart of his contention in this section of Romans is that no one is capable of doing anything to gain acceptance with God; this is why for everyone faith in Christ is the only possible way to God.

Douglas J. Moo, The Epistle to the Romans, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1996), 209–210.

II. Paul’s Statement of Christ’s Efficacy to Propitiate the Sins of All Who Come to God Through Faith in Jesus Alone (Rom. 3:21-28)

A. The Revelation of Christ’s Fulfillment of the Law on the Behalf of All Believers (Rom. 3:21-23)

In one of the greatest paragraphs of the Bible, Paul rehearses some of the reasons why the coming of Jesus Christ is, indeed, good news. In Christ, God has acted to manifest his saving righteousness, making it possible for any person who believes to be “justified”—pronounced innocent before the judgment seat of God himself (3:21–23). This verdict of justification is possible because Christ has redeemed us from our enslavement to sin (3:24), giving himself as a sacrifice that provides atonement for all people (3:25a). But what gives this paragraph its unparalleled significance is its claim that God did all this while preserving his own righteousness (3:25b–26a). In Christ—God become man and sacrificed for us—God found a way both to “justify” undeserving sinners and to remain “just” as he did so (3:26b).

Clinton E. Arnold, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Romans to Philemon., vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002), 23.

1. The Witness of Scripture Concerning the Work of Christ (Rom. 3:21)

Romans 3:21 KJV 1900

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

“But now” God has intervened to inaugurate a new era, and all who respond in faith—not only after the cross, but, as Rom. 4 will show, before it also—will be transferred into it from the old era. No wonder Lloyd-Jones can exclaim, “there are no more wonderful words in the whole of Scripture than just these two words ‘But now.’ ”

Douglas J. Moo, The Epistle to the Romans, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1996), 221.

But now”—exclaims the apostle. It marks a decided change of subject. Now that man has been fully shown up, God will be revealed. Now upon the proven unrighteousness of all mankind “the righteousness of God … is revealed.” Of old He had declared, “I will bring My righteousness near” (Isaiah 46:13). This is in no sense a wrought-out, legal righteousness, such as man was unable to produce for God. It is a righteousness “apart from the law,” that is, altogether apart from any principle of human obedience to a divinely ordained code of morals. It is a righteousness of God for unrighteous men, and is in no way dependent upon human merit or attainment.

The righteousness of God is an important term. Here it means a righteousness of God’s providing—a perfect standing for guilty men for which God makes Himself responsible. If men are saved at all it must be in righteousness. But of this, man is utterly helpless. Therefore God must find a way whereby every claim of His righteous throne shall be met, and yet guilty sinners be justified from all things. His very nature demands that this must not be at the expense of righteousness but in full accord with it. And this is what has been provided in the work of the cross.

Father, Thy sov’reign love has sought

Captives to sin, gone far from Thee;

The work that Thine own Son hath wrought

Has brought us back in peace and free.

And now as sons before Thy face,

With joyful steps the path we tread

Which leads us on to that blest place

Prepared for us by Christ our Head.

—J. N. D.

H. A. Ironside, The Continual Burnt Offering: Daily Meditations on the Word of God (Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1994), 261.

2. The Ground Is Level at the Cross (Rom. 3:22-23)

a. Just as All Have the Opportunity to Exercise Faith in Jesus… (Rom. 3:22)

Romans 3:22 KJV 1900

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:

Thus sang Zinzendorf, while Edward Mote wrote:

When He shall come with trumpet sound,

O may I then in Him be found,

Dressed in His righteousness, alone,

Faultless to stand before the throne.

...Sinners Saved by Grace

When you have thus taken your place as a guilty sinner, you are then in a position to be told of the work which God has done on your behalf. This is why Christians are so happy to admit their sinfulness and sing about it most joyfully in some of our grandest hymns.

Guilty, vile and helpless we,

Spotless Lamb of God was He.

Full atonement—can it be?

Hallelujah! What a Saviour.

Donald Grey Barnhouse, God’s Remedy: Romans 3:21–4:1–25 (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1954), 42.

Faith is only as good as its object. All men trust something, if only themselves; but the Christian trusts Christ. Law righteousness is a reward for works. Gospel righteousness is a gift through faith. Many people say, “I trust in God!” But this is not what saves us. It is personal, individual faith in Jesus Christ that saves and justifies the lost sinner. Even the demons from hell believe in God and tremble, yet this does not save them (James 2:19).

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 523.

Barnhouse: I remember an incident that took place when I was in Japan. I was told about one of the leaders of the Japanese church who had had a wonderful conversion from the stark paganism of his parents. I sought him out and heard the story from his own lips. He told of traveling from a small village in Japan to a larger town on the day of a great market-festival. While he was wandering along the street, he came to a place where a Christian colporteur was selling the Scriptures and preaching Christ to those who would stop to listen. The young man had never before heard the gospel; he had never before heard even the name of Christ. He stood for more than an hour listening to the testimony of the colporteur and watching the sale of Scripture portions to those who became interested. Finally, he bought a New Testament and went on his way.

He returned to his own village and began to read the Scriptures. He became so interested in what he found that he made a return journey to the town where he had bought the Testament, but searched in vain for the colporteur. He learned that the colporteur had evidently come from a yet more distant city, and that his visits had been very rare. The young man returned to his village and kept on reading the New Testament. Finally there came one evening when he knew that the Lord Jesus Christ had died for him, and there, alone in his room, he believed God’s Word about the death of the eternal Son, and passed out of death into life.

[As he continued to read his bible and pray,] The power of the Lord came upon him, and it was not long before he had led a group of his fellow-villagers to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus as the Saviour, God the Son.

When, much later, he was discovered by Baptist missionaries, he told his story and the story of the little church that had been founded by him and that was meeting in his house. He studied formally and was ordained to the ministry, and was in the ministry at the time I was in Japan, but he had never lost the power of that strange and beautiful moment he had had alone with God on the rooftop in the rain, when he had learned that the righteousness of God was unto all, even to the village boy in far Japan....

One of the grandest privileges which is ours who are ministers of the gospel of Christ is to proclaim that the gospel of Jesus Christ is for any man who will receive it. Whosoever will may come unto Christ and receive fully and freely the salvation that was bought by the Saviour, and become the object of the love that was manifested on Calvary.

Give the winds a mighty voice;

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Let the nations now rejoice;

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Shout salvation full and free

Highest hills and deepest caves;

This our song of victory;

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Donald Grey Barnhouse, God’s Remedy: Romans 3:21–4:1–25 (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1954), 36.

b. So All Have Likewise Missed the Mark of God’s Glory (Rom. 3:23)

Romans 3:23 KJV 1900

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

B. The Role of God’s Grace & Mercy in His Righteous Justification of Sinners Through Faith in the Blood of Jesus (Rom. 3:24-26)

1. God’s Grace in Redemption - Justification Requires Redemption (Rom. 3:24)

Romans 3:24 KJV 1900

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

apolutrosis (ἀπολύτρωσις, 629), a strengthened form of No. 1, lit., “a releasing, for (i.e., on payment of) a ransom.” It is used of (a) “deliverance” from physical torture, Heb. 11:35, see deliver, B, No. 1; (b) the deliverance of the people of God at the coming of Christ with His glorified saints, “in a cloud with power and great glory,” Luke 21:28, a “redemption” to be accomplished at the “outshining of His Parousia,” 2 Thess. 2:8, i.e., at His second advent; (c) forgiveness and justification, “redemption” as the result of expiation, deliverance from the guilt of sins, Rom. 3:24, “through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”; Eph. 1:7, defined as “the forgiveness of our trespasses,” rv; so Col. 1:14, “the forgiveness of our sins,” indicating both the liberation from the guilt and doom of sin and the introduction into a life of liberty, “newness of life” (Rom. 6:4); Heb. 9:15, “for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant,” rv, here “redemption of” is equivalent to “redemption from,” the genitive case being used of the object from which the “redemption” is effected, not from the consequence of the transgressions, but from the transgressions themselves; (d) the deliverance of the believer from the presence and power of sin, and of his body from bondage to corruption, at the coming (the Parousia in its inception) of the Lord Jesus, Rom. 8:23; 1 Cor. 1:30; Eph. 1:4; 4:30.¶ See also propitiation.

Hebrews 11:35 KJV 1900

35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

Luke 21:28 KJV 1900

28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

2 Thessalonians 2:8 KJV 1900

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

2 Thessalonians 2:1e KJV 1900

1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

Ephesians 1:7 KJV 1900

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Colossians 1:14 KJV 1900

14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Romans 6:4 KJV 1900

4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Hebrews 9:15 KJV 1900

15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Romans 8:23 KJV 1900

23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

1 Corinthians 1:30 KJV 1900

30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Ephesians 1:4 KJV 1900

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Ephesians 4:30 KJV 1900

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

¶ Indicates that all the NT occurrences of the Greek word under consideration are mentioned under the heading or sub-heading.

W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, and William White Jr., Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, TN: T. Nelson, 1996), 516.

Justification by grace

“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:24

suggested further reading: Hebrews 10:11–18

God demanded of Christ the payment for the sins of all his people; Christ stood forward, and to the utmost farthing paid whate’er his people owed. The sacrifice of Calvary was not a part payment; it was not a partial exoneration, it was a complete and perfect payment, and it obtained a complete and perfect remission of all the debts of all believers that have lived, do live, or shall live, to the very end of time. On that day when Christ hung on the cross, he did not leave a single farthing for us to pay as a satisfaction to God. The whole of the demands of the law were paid down there and then by Jehovah Jesus, the great high priest of all his people. And blessed be his name, he paid it all at once too. So priceless was the ransom, so princely and generous was the price demanded for our souls, one might have thought it would have been marvellous if Christ had paid it by instalments; some of it now, and some of it then. Kings’ ransoms have sometimes been paid part at once, and part in dues afterwards, to run through years. But not so our Saviour: once for all he gave himself a sacrifice; at once he counted down the price, and said, “It is finished,” leaving nothing for him to do, nor for us to accomplish. He did not drivel out a part-payment, and then declare that he would come again to die, or that he would again suffer, or that he would again obey; but down upon the nail, to the utmost farthing, the ransom of all people was paid, and a full receipt given to them, and Christ nailed that receipt to his cross.

for meditation: Those who attempt to complete or repeat a finished piece of work insult its maker and render it useless to themselves (Galatians 5:2).

sermon no. 126

C. H. Spurgeon and Terence Peter Crosby, 365 Days with Spurgeon (Volume 1) (Leominster, UK: Day One Publications, 1998), 102.

2. Jesus’ Blood on the Mercy-Seat - Justification Requires Propitiation (Rom. 3:25-26)

a. Only Faith in Jesus’ Blood Can Bring Remission of Sins (Rom. 3:25)

Romans 3:25 KJV 1900

25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Placed out of danger

‘And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest …’ Isaiah 32:2

suggested further reading: Isaiah 53:1–12

Am I speaking to some that are now in the storm? Behold—a hiding place. Look to the Man in my text, flee to him and you shall be safe. Faith in his name shall place you out of danger, and as faith grows, you shall be out of fear likewise. O flee for refuge to the hope set before you. Dreadful as this storm sounds in the sinner’s ears, it is indeed a merciful dispensation, sent to urge him to flee to the ark before a more dreadful storm comes. Consider the person of Christ—how great and how near—as God and man (John 1:1, 14). Think of the storm he endured for our sakes (Matthew 26:36–46, Gethsemane). His office in heaven is to present and plead his own blood and righteousness for us (Romans 3:25) and to receive and dispense pardon, peace and grace and eternal life (Revelation 5:1–14). Remember his promises—and these are absolute without exception (John 10:28).

Let others remember there is a storm of unmixed wrath in reserve for those who refuse this salvation (Jeremiah 23:19).

John Newton and Marylynn Rouse, 365 Days with Newton (Leominster, UK: Day One Publications, 2006), 352.

Dr. G. Campbell Morgan was trying to explain “free salvation” to a coal miner, but the man was unable to understand it. “I have to pay for it,” he kept arguing. With a flash of divine insight, Dr. Morgan asked, “How did you get down into the mine this morning?” “Why, it was easy,” the man replied. “I just got on the elevator and went down.”

Then Morgan asked, “Wasn’t that too easy? Didn’t it cost you something?”

The man laughed. “No, it didn’t cost me anything; but it must have cost the company plenty to install that elevator.” Then the man saw the truth: “It doesn’t cost me anything to be saved, but it cost God the life of His Son.”

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 523.

b. God Is Right to Declare Right All Who Believe Right (Rom. 3:26)

Romans 3:26 KJV 1900

26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Note - How does one believe rightly? by believing in Jesus!

There can be no gospel unless there is such a thing as a righteousness of God for the ungodly. But just as little can there be any gospel unless the integrity of God’s character be maintained. The problem of the sinful world, the problem of all religion, the problem of God in dealing with a sinful race, is how to unite these two things. The Christian answer to the problem is given by Paul in the words: “Jesus Christ, whom God set forth a propitiation (or, in propitiatory power) in his blood.”

Douglas J. Moo, The Epistle to the Romans, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1996), 219.

C. The Ridiculousness of Boasting in Only That Which Can Condemn but Never Justify (Rom. 3:27-28)

1. It’s Delusional at Best to Boast in What You Can Never Achieve (Rom. 3:27)

Romans 3:27 KJV 1900

27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

Why is faith the law of God’s kingdom?

• Faith eliminates the pride of human effort, because faith is not a deed that we do.

• Faith exalts what God has done, not what people do.

• Faith admits that we can’t keep the law or measure up to God’s standards—we need help.

• Faith is based on our relationship with God, not our performance for God.

Bruce B. Barton, David Veerman, and Neil S. Wilson, Romans, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1992), 77–78.

2. Faith in Jesus Alone Will Attain the Justification Before God that Your Works Cannot (Rom. 3:28)

Romans 3:28 KJV 1900

28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Salvation by faith without the works of the law:—Some years ago two men, a bargeman and a collier, were in a boat near the Niagara Falls, and found themselves unable to manage it, it being carried so swiftly down the current that they must both inevitably be borne down and dashed to pieces. At last, however, one man was saved by floating a rope to him, which he grasped. The same instant a log floated by the other man. The thoughtless and confused bargeman, instead of seizing the rope, laid hold on the log. It was a fatal mistake, for clinging to the loose floating log he was borne irresistibly along and never heard of afterwards, while the other was saved because he had a connection with the people on the land. Faith has a saving connection with Christ. Christ is on the shore, so to speak, holding the rope, and as we lay hold of it with the hand of our confidence, He pulls us to shore; but our good works, having no connection with Christ, are drifted alone down to the gulf of fell despair. Grapple our virtues as tightly as we may, they cannot avail us in the least degree; they are the disconnected log which has no holdfast on the heavenly shore. (C. H. Spurgeon.)

Joseph S. Exell, The Biblical Illustrator: Romans, vol. 1 (New York; Chicago; Toronto; London; Edinburgh: Fleming H. Revell Company, n.d.), 262–263.

III. The Sufficiency of Justification to All Who Believe in Christ (Rom. 3:29-31)

A. The One True God Justifies Both Jew & Gentile Through Faith (Rom. 3:29-30)

Romans 3:29–30 KJV 1900

29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

B. Faith in Christ Fixes the Law that We Have Broken (Rom. 3:31)

Romans 3:31 KJV 1900

31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Successful NASCAR drivers owe as much to their pit crews as to their own skills behind the wheel. One of the finest crew chiefs on the NASCAR circuit is David Smith, who calls the shots in pit row for such drivers as Dale Earnhardt.

In the 1960s, David had plunged headlong into the hippie scene with its trademark consumption of alcohol and drugs. But his father, a new Christian, began witnessing to him.

“Dad,” David said, “when I get old like you, I’ll get religion.”

“What if you were to die today? What if you go to one of these parties tonight and get shot? What if you wreck your car? Where do you think you’ll be?”

“Well, I guess I’ll be pushing up daisies!”

“No,” his father replied, “you’ve got a soul. That soul is either going to spend eternity in heaven with the Lord, or in hell.”

On his twenty-fifth birthday, his mother gave him a Bible, which he stowed away in a drawer and forgot about. But finally … I realized things weren’t fun anymore. I was drinking a lot, I was smoking a lot of dope, I was taking a lot of pills, but nothing seemed fun. Something impressed me to get that Bible out of my drawer. I sat down and just started reading. My mother had underlined a bunch of key Scriptures—John 3:16, Romans 3:23, and Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

That evening David read his Bible until far into the night, then found he couldn’t sleep. The next morning at 6:30 he called his mom, only to discover she had been so burdened for him that she, too, had spent a sleepless night, on her knees.

David turned from his sins to Christ. And I knew at that moment all the guilt was gone, the burden lifted off my shoulders. In its place a joy and warmness and a complete peace came into my life. Right then. *

* Adapted from P. J. Richardson and Robert Darden, Wheels of Thunder (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997), pp. 145–149.

Robert J. Morgan, From This Verse: 365 Scriptures That Changed the World, electronic ed. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000).

Conclusion:

Redeemed Means:

R - Remission of my many sins from the

E - Evils that I had committed against God’s holiness.

D - Death was duly deserved, and

E - Eternal wrath loomed over my soul. Yet,

E - Everlasting life is now mine through the

M - Mercy of God because I simply believed in Jesus. So now I can

E - Enjoy the sweet satisfaction deep in my soul that I’ve been

D - Delivered by Christ’s Blood applied to the Mercy-Seat in Heaven for me.

Faith in Jesus Christ alone can bring you into a right relationship with a thrice holy God, reliance on any other means will never measure up:

The relief that comes when you lay down the law and learn to lean on the Lord instead

If you don’t lay down the law, then neither will God

Lay the law at the feet of Jesus, and let Him lift you up to God by faith

Stop trying so hard to do what will never work, when Jesus has already done for you all that you need to be right with God