s the gospel is applied we discover to our utter delight that, "He that believes is not condemned" (John 3:18). This is actually looking at the negative side of things for it tells us what we are not rather than what we are! However, even if this were the sum total of gospel benefits, it would be thrilling, for as P.T. Forsyth says, "As a race we're not even stray sheep, or wandering prodigals .. we are rebels taken with weapons in our hands." (Forsyth, Peter Taylor; Positive Preaching and Modern Mind; p 56).
To know that all possibility of condemnation has been lifted is both stunning and liberating. Have you told yourself this powerful gospel truth lately? Have you had a good talk with yourself about how you are no longer under condemnation? "He that believes is not condemned" says the Word. Is this you? Are you a believer? Are you relying on Christ alone? If so, you are not condemned. You will never be damned (Romans 8:1). Christ Jesus is the sufficient Saviour, His person, work and offices guarantee no condemnation, but the question is, are you relying on Him and His sufficiency? Is He your substitute in life and death? If He is, let's say it again, you will never be damned!
But because of His sufficiency, the benefits of the gospel are even bigger than this. Not only will believers not be damned, but because of the sufficiency of the Saviour they are also, "made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). Furthermore, "Christ is the end (or fulfilling) of the law for righteousness to every one that believes" (Romans 10:4).
We are now the righteousness of God in Christ. We have this on good authority ... an authority that cannot lie ... God's Word. And not only so, but having been declared righteous, we have also been embraced and welcomed by heaven. We are now accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6).
But why and how is this possible? For this simple yet profound reason; when Christ hung on the cross, He demonstrated His perfect, unswerving and unshakeable love for the Father. Being now found in Him we are reckoned as having the same unerring and unswerving love. It is credited to us by free grace alone!
The Scripture doesn't say we must have a strong faith or even a great faith to receive these truths. Faith, it must be remembered, is not a work, nor is it something we earn or produce ourselves. On the contrary, it is when we end our works and receive Christ in place of them that we are actually walking by faith. We do not depend on faith to save us. Christ alone is the Saviour. Christ alone saves sinners.
Are you worried that your faith is not strong enough? Again we must neither look at ourselves nor the weakness or strength of our faith; we must look, rather, to the cross of Calvary and the sufficiency of the One who died on our behalf! It was Christ Jesus the Lord who suffered for sin, the just for the unjust that He might bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18). Has He brought you to God? He has? Then rest on that. Jesus is the living way Who calls us to have no confidence in ourselves, but rather confidence in Him. In Him, we have obtained right of access to Heaven for in Him we are the righteousness of God. His perfection is sufficient to righteously cover not only that which is imperfect in our characters and lives, but also that which is imperfect in our faith. As the old Hymn writer once said,
“Had I an angel’s righteousness I’d lay aside that beauteous dress, And wrap me up in Christ.”
And that’s the Gospel Truth!