HOW CAN A SINNER BE RIGHT WITH GOD? By Pastor Scott Henry

“What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?  For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.  For what does the Scripture say?  “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness” (Romans 4:1-3).

The most important question any person could ever ask is, “How can a sinful man be reconciled to the holy God of Scripture?”  How is it possible for a sinner, who has violated the holy standard of God’s law at every point, to escape the penalty of eternal death and be received into God’s favor? 

From the very moment man fell into sin he has been seeking to answer this question in a myriad of ways.  Adam thought it was enough to cover himself with figs leaves, whereas Cain believed the bringing of his produce should be enough to fully satisfy God.  The Pharisees of Jesus’ day declared that they were righteous in God’s sight on the basis of their obedience to the works of the Law.  Ecclesiastes 1:9-10: “That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.  Is there anything of which it may be said, “See, this is new”?  It has already been in ancient times before us.”

After reading these words in Ecclesiastes, it should come as no surprise that there are Pharisees today who teach that sinners can be justified before the holy God of Scripture on the basis of their obedience.  They even say this is what the Scriptures teach.  But according to our text NO SINFUL MAN will ever be justified in the sight of the holy God of Scripture by anything he has done or will do.  Rather, Scripture declares that man is justified by grace alone, through faith alone, apart from the works of the Law, and any man seeking to be justified by his own works is under God’s curse.  As our text says, “What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?  For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.  For what does the Scripture say?  “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 

Our text clearly teaches that justification before God does not come from our doing, but rather from believing the promise of God.  “For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.  For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Romans 10:11-13).  And so we read in our text, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”  

What about you … do you believe the promise of God?  Do you trust Jesus Christ as your only hope of righteousness, reconciliation, and forgiveness with God?  Call upon Jesus now and live forevermore.