3Circle Church
Romans 4:23-25 (ESV)
But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
“In these verses, the whole of Christianity is comprehended.” - Martin Luther
We have sinned (it keeps us out), and we are not righteous (we can’t get in).
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Christ was delivered to death for our sin, and raised to life for our justification
John 10:9
"I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture."
The Father delivered and raised up the Son.
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
2 Corinthians 4:14
[…] knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into His presence.
The Son gave His life in love, and resurrected in power.
John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
The Spirit moves to convince us of this truth, leading us to believe.
John 16:7-10
"Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer."
Exodus 34:6-7
The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.”
God punishes all sin, while not counting our sin against us.
Romans 3:21-22
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it — 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction.
Jesus substituted Himself to atone for our sins.
2 Corinthians 5:21
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Jesus imputed His righteousness to us, making us holy.
We must believe in Him as Savior and Lord.
John 11:25-27
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”