Anyone who believes in Jesus will be saved. There is no distinction—the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus is available to all people.
John 1:12-13; 3:16; Romans 1:16-17; 4:1-5
Whoever Believes (John 3:16; 1:12-13)
a. The recipients of God’s great love are “everyone who believes” in Jesus.
b. Belief is about trusting in, relying on, and even “betting” your life on Jesus.
c. Those who receive Jesus become children of God, and this new birth is not dependent on the flesh or works or will of man; it’s all about God.
Belief and Righteousness (Romans 4:1-5)
a. Even Abraham, the father of God’s people, could not be justified by his own works.
b. Abraham was counted as righteous because he believed.
c. Once we receive Jesus, God justifies us and begins making us righteous through the process of sanctification. We will still sin, but we are in the process of being transformed to be more like Christ until we are finally united with Him for eternity.
Belief Blesses (Romans 1:16-17)
a. Righteous living in Christ looks very different than the world, and Paul wasn’t ashamed about that.
b. The gospel of good news in Jesus Christ is the power of God for salvation. The effectiveness of the gospel does not rise or fall with human power.
c. Belief in the gospel of Jesus reveals God’s righteousness from one person to the next person, all around the world.