Romans 3

"But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins, upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; but the Lord laid upon him the guilt of us all… If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the Lord shall be accomplished through him. Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear. Therefore I will give him his portion among the great, and he shall divide the spoils with the mighty, because he surrendered himself to death and was counted among the wicked; and he shall take away the sins of many, and win pardon for their offenses." (Isaiah 53:5-6,10b-12)

Faith Justifies

Only the Lord is truly just;
No one is righteous in His sight.
Before the law, all are but dust --
Feeble creatures which shun the light.

All are condemned under the law;
And works alone can't justify
The stained creature, which is but straw --
Only God's grace can sanctify.

But now, apart from law and deed,
God's righteousness has been revealed.
Redemption's here for those who heed
This Gospel by which sin's repealed.

God put forth Jesus to atone
Once for all, by His blood outpoured,
As sacrifice, which He alone
Could give - through Him, life is restored!

Through faith in Jesus Christ, His grace
Will justify and will forgive
Past sins; as His gift, He'll erase
Their mark - those who believe will live!

By this faith, the law is upheld;
In Christ, justice and mercy meld.


May the Spirit grant us the gift of faith that we may believe and be justified by the free gift of redemption offered to us in the mercy of Christ Jesus.

(c) Paul Buis, 2005