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QUESTION 55
What does it mean in the Bible in Romans 4:8, "Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin" Does this mean God overlooks sin?

ANSWER:
There are two ways men seek salvation. One is by good works and the other by faith in Christ and the promises of God.

God's salvation is offered to "whosoever" without any price attached. Revelation 22:17. Man's way one must work hard and long at it and the end is death. "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is the ways of death." Proverbs 14:12.

When a lost sinner accepts Christ by faith God justifies that sinner by legally declaring that person forgiven or acquitted of all charges. He then imputes righteousness to him. All charges have been dropped. The man will never face God in his sins and be judged. He is forgiven of all charges.

The verse in Romans 4:8 assure the believing sinner that though he might sin, God will not laid a charge again him for those sins, they have already been charged up to Jesus's account. He has paid that debt and God does not require payment twice. This is called the gift of righteousness in Romans 5:17. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)  This was provided when Christ died. 2 Corinthians 5:21. "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." A believer is not perfectly righteous in himself, but they are in Christ. "Accepted IN THE BELOVED" Ephesians 1:6.

Dear Reader, "Are you right in God's sight? No works you could ever do would make you right in the sight of the Lord God. God has provided a way where He can be perfectly just and yet justify a sinner.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen