Right Standing with God
Luke 24:45-47 NASB
Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
[46] and He said to them, “So it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,
[47] and that 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝘀 would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
We preach the gospel of salvation from and the forgiveness of sin that is provided to us through placing our faith in the finished work of Jesus at the cross as our only source of salvation. The law condemns us, and our obedience to it and our attempts to keep the commandments will not bring us rightstanding with God.
So, when we realized our depravity, we changed our mind and thinking, we repented and came to the cross in faith believing that the finished work of Jesus was more than sufficient to give us eternal life. Obedience to the law for righteousness with God was the old covenant way. We now have a new way.
Romans 10:4 NASB
For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
The law was weak, and brought only condemnation and eternal death.
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Romans 8:1-4 NASB
Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. [3] For what the Law could not do, 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, [4] so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Hebrews 7:18-19 NASB
For, on the one hand, there is the nullification of a former commandment because of its 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 and uselessness [19] (for the Law made nothing perfect); on the other hand, there is the introduction of a better hope, through which we come near to God.
The law could never do what the powerful and perfect blood of Jesus purchased for us.
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Ephesians 1:7-8 NASB
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace
[8] which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight
In my own journey of faith, comprehending the concept of being right standing with God transformed my understanding of salvation and grace. At first, I believed that strict obedience to the law and fulfilling commandments would earn me favor with God. However, as I reflected on scriptures like Romans 10:4 and Hebrews 7:18-19, I realized the law’s limitations—it highlights our shortcomings rather than providing a path to perfection. The law’s weakness, as described in Romans 8:1-4, lies in its inability to redeem us from sin and death. But through faith in Jesus and His sacrificial blood, God offers a powerful redemption and forgiveness that the law never could. Repentance—the genuine change of mind and turning from sin—plays a crucial role in accepting that grace. What stood out to me was the balance between understanding human depravity and embracing God’s grace. Repentance is not just about feeling remorse but actively shifting one’s faith towards the finished work of Jesus on the cross. This new covenant frees believers from condemnation and offers a fresh hope rooted in faith, not legalistic obligations. Adding the terms from the OCR like "LAW SAVE SAVED FAITH," it’s clear that faith is the essential element bridging the gap between the law’s condemnation and salvation. This faith is not passive but involves an ongoing relationship with Jesus, trusting in His grace daily. From a practical perspective, these insights encourage me to rely less on my own efforts and more on God’s grace through faith. It’s liberating to understand that right standing with God is a gift received through believing Christ died for our sins and rose again, not something earned by adhering to rules. Sharing this message helps encourage others facing similar struggles with legalism to embrace the freedom found in Christ.