Romans 3:22-24 NIV
This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Romans 4:3, 10-11, 16, 23-25 NIV
What does Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." ... Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. ... Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abrahamʼs offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. ... The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Justification is by grace, through faith in the promise of God.
If baptism is the new covenant fulfillment of the old covenant sign/seal of circumcision, then I suppose that baptism is not required for justification but is essential for sanctification (if the two can actually be dissected).
Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace. Thank you for giving me faith and counting me as righteous, including me as a descendant of Abraham. Lord Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice to accomplish justice. Holy Spirit, lead me to a deeper appreciation of this reality. I love you, and I pray in the name of Jesus.
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