“… 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: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood …” Romans 3:22-25a
How are believers justified and counted righteous and acceptable in God’s eyes? It’s not by works of the law because all have broken God’s commandments and stand condemned under God’s law. Instead, believers are justified by God’s grace through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ, which He shed on the cross to atone for the sins of all.
Have mercy upon me, O God, and graciously forgive my sins for the sake of the shed blood of my Redeemer, Jesus Christ. In His name, I pray. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe…” Romans 3:21-22
Though the law of God reveals our sins and condemns us all, there is a way for us, sinful human beings, to be counted righteous and be acceptable in God’s sight. The Bible tells us about this righteousness. It is the righteousness of God that He imputes to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice on the cross.
O gracious and merciful God, forgive my sins and count me righteous in Your eyes through faith in Christ Jesus, Your Son and my Savior. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5
When we are brought to trust in Jesus, we are born again to a living hope. Because Jesus died for our sins and then was raised up to life on the third day, we are assured that God will also raise us up from our graves to an eternal inheritance in heaven that will never be corrupted or fade away. And the same God who brought us to hear and believe His promises will, through the hearing of His Word, preserve and keep us trusting in Jesus until we receive the promised salvation at the end of this world.
Thank You, O God, for graciously bringing me to faith in Jesus and giving me the certain hope of everlasting life with You in heaven for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
[Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” Psalm 16:9-10
As David prophesied in Psalm 16, Jesus’ soul was not left in hell, nor did His body decay in the grave. He made full atonement for our sins by His sufferings and death on the cross and was raised from the dead on the third day in victory over sin and death, so that all who look to Him and His cross in faith can rest in that same hope of being raised up unto life everlasting with Jesus, our Savior.
O gracious and merciful God, thank You for the sacrifice of Your Son and for His glorious resurrection that we might rest in our graves with the hope and promise that He will raise us from the dead, along with all who trust in Him, and grant us life everlasting with You in heaven. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” John 19:30
The English “It is finished” is one word in the Greek New Testament: “tetelestai.” And that one word, reflecting what Jesus said when He died on the cross, says it all! Not only were His horrific sufferings and death on the cross finished, but the price of our redemption was paid. By His death on the cross, atonement for the sins of the world was made. God’s wrath against our sins was satisfied, and our salvation was won. By trusting in Jesus and His finished work of redemption, we are justified, pardoned, forgiven, and given everlasting life.
Thank you, dear Lord Jesus, for bearing on the cross the just punishment for our sins and winning for us salvation. Grant us faith in Your perfect sacrifice that we might receive the forgiveness and life You won for us. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
