Introduction
The gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ. He did what we could not do. He created life in us where there was only death. The Word of God became alive.The natural man without this is forever lost in a closed ended labyrinth of son. Totally depraved. Cannot seek God. A slave to sin. Cannot understand scripture. Man is inclined towards all evil.
How then can God require obedience? Would this be unjust? Should God require a fish to fly?
1 – God is Just
He is never unjust. God will punish with a perfectly righteous judgment. Psalm 7:11, 50:6, 89:14; Gen 18:25, Rom 3:4
Romans 3:4 (NKJV) Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.”
Our conscience bears witness
2 – God created man with the ability to obey
Originally we were capable of keeping His law. Man brought the inability upon himself. Willful disobedience. We died in Adam. He acted as our representative. We would have done what Adam did. And we do! We increase our guilt daily.
Romans 1 even though they knew God they did not thank Him. The modern idea of forgiveness is to overlook sin. God does not overlook sin it was dealt with in Christ. Justice demands all sin must be punished. Gal 3
God is also merciful. Gods mercy and justice come together at the cross.
“When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.””
Matthew 19:25-26 NKJV