Justification by faith is a key concept in Christian salvation. The idea is simple. We believe in the gospel message; God justifies us, making us right with Him. To further understand this, we’ll consider two examples: Abraham and David, both mentioned in Romans 4.

Romans 3:21-26   God’s righteousness is a big topic. To understand it, we need to reflect on how God created our world, how humans have repeatedly rebelled, and how God has devised a solution to these problems.

Romans 4:1-8   To understand justification, the Apostle Paul points to two examples: Abraham and David.

Genesis 15:1-6   Although Abraham failed repeatedly throughout his life, he was a believer. When God promised him a child, he trusted in that promise.

2 Samuel 12:1-9   David’s sins with Bathsheba and Uriah were so severe and deplorable it’s hard to believe that he could ever become justified. Even so, after Nathan confronted him and he repented, he wrote a psalm, celebrating the blessing of forgiven sins. (See Psalm 32.)

1 Corinthians 1:26-29; James 2:5; Matthew 11:25   Justification by faith makes salvation available to everyone. Rather than choosing the wealthiest, most intelligent, or most beautiful people, in His wisdom God decided He wanted believers. What a magnificent truth!