Some people admit that salvation is a free gift in Christ, but they claim that to have a relationship with God where He blesses us and helps us, we have to work. Nothing could be further from the truth.
When we, through faith, accept Jesus’ gift of dying for us on the cross and forever reconciling us to God, we are saved.
Faith credited as righteousness
“Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.” (Romans 4:4-5; NIV)
In Romans 4, we read that God is a God who justifies the ungodly. Why would someone who is godly and righteous, need God to justify them? But God justifies us — those who accepted Jesus’ work — freely and when we are ungodly, undeserving. Not when we have it all together. Not when we keep the 10 commandments. Not when we keep food rules. He justified us when we were ungodly, living in our sin, simply by us accepting what Jesus did for us. • What is the Good News? No condemnation. No punishment. Forever reconciled with God.
What happens when I sin after being saved?
Okay, but what about my ongoing relationship with God? I sinned after I was saved, and surely, God can’t forgive me for that.
Even after we’re saved, we will, unfortunately, continue to sin. But remember that God has justified you, forgiven you, cleansed you, and made you righteous and holy (See Colossians 1:22 and 2 Corinthians 5:17).
Once you are righteous through Christ, it can never be taken away, no matter how much you sin. You are forever, irrevocably righteous in Christ. And you know what the Bible says about the righteous?
In Psalm 34:15, we read: “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry” (NIV)
God helps the righteous — that’s you, who are in Christ.
So even especially when you fail, remember that you are righteous in Christ. And that God — who is no longer against you, but for you — has His eyes of love and compassion on you. His ears are waiting to hear you cry out to Him. What do you need? Affirmation? Love? Help? Provision? Healing? His ears are attentive to your cry. • God does not sleep.
