Just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness” vs6

This sermon is the sweetness of Christ on Calvary making the way for us to be fully accepted by God. It is joy and peace to believe in imputed righteousness, and to walk with God in the Spirit.

First, we are justified by faith. It is not because of what we do or our moral character; it is faith in what Christ has done, because He pleased God and satisfied justice. We’ve got to get out of ourselves and into Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:22, "For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive."

We know that we're in Christ by faith only, which means that He died for us, loves us, and we have all blessings for His name sake only [John 14:14]. He is the reason that God looks upon us with favor, and then we receive every good thing. He is the Vine, and we are the branches. All that God has comes to us freely because of Christ.

God is gracious, and the gospel displays His glory! Ephesians 2:7, "So that in the coming ages He might display the immeasurable riches of His grace through His kindness to us in Christ Jesus." Therefore, He saves sinners and GIVES US every good thing; it is free, and it is according to justice through the redemption that’s in Jesus Christ [Rom 3:24]. Don’t look to yourself for anything.

Secondly, the law always testified of the punishment of Christ. The problem was the Jews could not see it. They saw themselves, instead of Christ in Scripture. They saw rules, rather than the finished work, so they opposed Him. Don’t make the same mistake now. Be willing to be blessed by the obedience of Another. Hasn’t He done enough?

Galatians 3:13, "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written: Everyone who is hung on a tree is cursed."

He was cursed for us, so all our inadequacy and failure was taken away! (Everything wrong with me, He paid for already. I don't have to make up with God. No double jeapardy exists. Sins once punished cannot be held against me twice.) We’ve already paid for our lying, stealing, and lack of love. Our disobedience and drunkenness was atoned. God has not let us off easy. He’s punished His Son, but that’s what it takes, because nothing else satisfies the law of God. Galatians 3:10, "For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written: Everyone who does not continue doing everything written in the book of the law is cursed." Our best effort is inadequate.

Thank God for the grace of His Son - that He willingly died. He suffered awful wrath, so that you could be saved to God's glory. He loved you!

Thirdly, the promise that we get through the gospel is the Spirit.

Galatians 3:14, "The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus, so that we could receive the promised Spirit through faith."

The Spirit blesses us to see Christ, and He gives us the fruit [Jer 17:24-25]. He is sent, because God elected us and paid the price. He is sent to convince of sin, which is His hard work, but it is necessary to draw us to Christ. He is sent to grieve us and strengthen us from our failures. He is sent to comfort us and apply the atonement upon the soul, so that we live with a clean conscience in the joy and freedom of acceptance!

Oh, bless God the blessed Spirit for dwelling within and giving us peace and assurance. Bless Him for boldness, joy, and love, because all things come to us, when we look to Christ in the gospel. This is the GREATEST THING that there is: to be walking with Christ in the Spirit’s power, moved to feel the things of God, and free from self - no longer trying to be good enough. It is a blessed thing to be accepted by God.