◄ What Does Romans 1:17 Mean? ►

The righteousness of God stands in stark contrast with the sinfulness of man and describes God's holy and just character, which always dispenses that which is consistent with each of His other perfect attributes.

God could never forgive sinful man his trespasses and sins in a way that would compromise His own perfect character, and the wages of sin is eternal death to all who fall short of His unsurpassed righteousness. But God in His love and grace gave His only begotten Son, to be born into the human race so that His sinless life would become the one and only payment to fully and finally satisfy the righteous requirements of God's perfect Law. God's righteous judgement on sin was secured at the Cross of Christ's, purchasing forgiveness of sin to all who believe.

The glorious gospel of Christ reveals the uncompromised righteousness of God, which is based on faith: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for our sins according to the Scriptures. Believe that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."

The truth of the glorious gospel of God and His perfect plan to reconcile man back to Himself, without compromising His holy character, reveals God's perfect yet uncompromised righteousness, and it is all by grace through faith in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The first step of faith is to BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. But God's righteousness is further revealed "from faith to faith," for God is faithful to carry out the good work that He started in each of His redeemed children.

But foundational faith in Christ's sacrificial death needs to continue into a life that is lived by faith, for as we grow in grace and mature in the faith we move from one degree of faith to another measure of faith. We are SAVED by faith. We called to LIVE by faith and instructed to keep on living by faith, knowing that He who started a good work in us will be faithful to complete it in the day of Christ Jesus.

We are justified by faith, sanctified by faith and one day we will be glorified, when we shall SEE Him as He is. That is the time when faith will be rewarded by sight.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the glorious gospel of Christ. Thank You that the righteousness of God has been revealed in the Cross, where Christ suffered the punishment for my sins and paid the price for my redemption with His holy and precious blood. Thank You that I am saved by grace through faith in Christ. Lord, I want to live my life by faith and grow in grace from one degree of faith to the next, until Christ is formed in me. My life is not my own, for I have been bought with a price. I pray that my life may be lived by faith, to Your praise and glory. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.