Romans 3:23-24 English Standard Version
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
The emphasis is always put on salvation which is the end game but we do not find that word in this scripture. We first find the word justified. God does not save what He cannot justify. This is why justification needs to be at the core of our understanding and our security in relationship with God.
Deuteronomy 32:4 English Standard Version (ESV) “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.
Psalm 118:22 English Standard Version (ESV) The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
Jesus Christ is the Rock, He is the Cornerstone upon which His church is built. His ways are justice. What He has done justifies us.
Romans 3:28 English Standard Version (ESV) For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
At the core of individual salvation is the feeling of being lost. We are searching for a way out of the trap that has ensnared us.
Psalm 9:16 English Standard Version (ESV) The Lord has made himself known; he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.
Psalm 124:7 English Standard Version (ESV) We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken, and we have escaped!
Once we realize we have been caught in sin’s snare we want to move from Ps 9:16 to Ps 124:7 but we cannot do it on our own, we need help. We don’t care much about why we are freed so much as just escaping.
Ephesians 2:8 English Standard Version (ESV) For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
How do we receive this gracious gift?