For if by the wrongdoing of that one man death established its reign, through a single sinner, much more shall those who receive in far greater measure God's grace, and his gift of righteousness, live and reign through the one man, Jesus Christ. Rom. 5:17, N.E.B.

Two things are required for us to be saved. First, we must have a perfect righteousness. But "there is none righteous, no, not one" (Rom. 3:10). Christ provides this righteousness for us in His own perfectly righteous life that He lived on earth. Therefore we receive "the gift of righteousness . . . by one, Jesus Christ" (chap. 5:17).

Second, because we are sinners, we are under sentence of death. "The wages of sin is death" (chap. 6:23). On Calvary Christ bore our sins and paid the penalty for them. "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us" (Gal. 3:13).

Therefore our salvation is complete and secured for us by Christ alone. Hence the fundamental proclamation of the gospel: "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son" (John 3:16). It is left to us to receive salvation as a gift from God. We must not try to earn it. We receive it by faith. We live by faith. We walk by faith.

Christ offers new life if only we will receive Him. Now if a man is born without any artistic ability there is little hope of his becoming an artist. If a man has no ear for music he cannot be educated to be a musician. If he lacks creative imagination and thought he will never become a poet. Nothing but a miracle from God can change that.

So we come into the world spiritually dead with a carnal mind at enmity against God (see Rom. 8:7). Unless Christ gives us new life from above, and unless we receive that new life, there is no way to be saved. Christ is the opening of the eyes to men born blind. Christ is the life that raises us from the dead. His pierced hand strikes the missing chords to bring forth heavenly music in our lives. We receive the gift of salvation by faith alone.