“Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, A scorn and a derision to them that are round about us. Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, A shaking of the head among the people. My confusion is continually before me, And the shame of my face hath covered me, For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; By reason of the enemy and avenger.”
Psalm 44:13-16 KJV,https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.44.13-16.KJV
Justified by Faith
Paul, the writer of the letter to the church in Rome, covers the details of what is known as “the Gospel message”—a message that was handed down to them. It's packed with deep theological truths that are meant to shape the way Christians live.
One of the central components to the Gospel is that salvation comes through faith alone. That means we are saved by the power of God through believing and trusting in Jesus. Every Christian comes to God through faith—not through good deeds or by trying to earn salvation.
Paul says that we have peace with God by our faith in Jesus. Prior to that, we were considered ungodly and unrighteous—because we would live our lives in our own power, doing our own things. This led to separation from God.
However, by faith in Jesus, we are justified before Him. This means that through Jesus’ own right-living, we are made right before Him. Even though we still make mistakes, we can stand innocent before God because of Jesus.
It’s ...