This morning, we revisit the Gospel so we can make sure we understand it. The result should be that those who know the Lord will rejoice again in His free grace, and those who don't know this grace may find it in Jesus Christ.

We consider two things:

*First, what it means that salvation is by God's grace, received by faith alone
*Second, why it has to be this way

For grace to be grace, there must be no works involved in it; there must be nothing for us to do. It must be a gift, received freely, and that's why it must be by faith alone.

All those years ago, Martin Luther saw that God offers this righteousness freely, that it must be a gift received by faith. He believed, and looked to Christ and was saved. Do you see this? Do you understand it? Have you believed God, looked to His Son and received His righteousness? If not, look to Him now and receive it. You must be willing to turn from the things that offend Him, to die to your way of doing things. Begin to do them His way, and you too will discover what Luther did so many years ago: that there is salvation from judgment through the free grace of God, received by faith in His Son Jesus alone.

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