But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. — Romans 3:21
Understanding the Gospel is vital. So that we can preach it to ourselves when our conscience (or even Satan) accuses us. Not by minimising the reality of our sin. But by countering it with another great reality: the sacrificial atonement of Jesus Christ on our behalf.
In his book ‘The Discipline of Grace’, Jerry Bridges gives us 7 components of the Gospel (based on Romans 3:19-26) that we should all internalise:
• Nobody is declared righteous by observing the law (v19-21)
• The righteousness of God is apart from the law (v21)
• The righteousness from God is received through faith in Jesus Christ (v22)
• This righteousness is available to all because all have sinned (v22-23)
• All who put their faith in Christ are justified freely by God’s grace (v24)
• This justification is through the redemption of Christ (v24)
• God the Father is satisfied with the atonement made by His Son (v25)
This is how we silence the screams of our conscience. This is how we shut the mouth of the accuser. We counter the truth of our sin with the full and sufficient payment that was made for it at the cross. The Gospel brings us peace. May we ever cling to it.
When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look, and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Saviour died,
My sinful soul is counted free;
For God, the Just, is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.
— Charity Lees Bancroft (1863)
— Contributed by Peter Rufus