Vs26, “To declare, I say, at this time, His righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus”.
I’m justified by faith, bless God. I don’t stand in what I do; I stand in what the Lord Jesus did for me with His blood, when He took away my sins by His death - “whom God set forth to be a propitiation, through faith, in his blood, to show his righteousness for the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God” (vs25).
I am saved, not because I bring God something and He rewards me, but because I believe God FORGIVES me of what I’ve done, “For all have sinned and continually come short of the glory of God“ (vs23). I’m the publican who says, “God, be propitious… merciful through blood…, to me, the sinner” (Luke 18:9-14). I’ve obtained favor freely, without any cause in me, “being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus“ (vs24).
I believe Christ because the law has SHUT my mouth and convinced me of sin, for “what things soever the law says, it says to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God“ (vs19). Bless the Lord if you’re guilty and know it, penniless to pay for it and powerless to change it. The law came to you with power, or you’d reject Christ in love of sin (vs18). But, you need the Son of God, so you trust Him to save you, not merely to pardon you, but to empower you to serve.
You believe God by the blood of Jesus, trusting God is RIGHT to bless you by what Jesus did, even the “righteousness of God”, revealed in the gospel of Christ, “unto all and upon all them that believe” (vs22).
You believe on Jesus at God’s command, because He receives you so freely. He asks no improvement - that’s His job. He asks no promises of doing better: He is the One that makes promise that you’ll improve and grow. You take because He gives.
Bless God if you’re free from merit and live by God-earned mercy!
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