Salvation Is Righteousness Made Possible
Salvation is not just deliverance from penalty or forgiveness of sins, but the power to live a righteous life through faith in the gospel.
G. Campbell Morgan emphasizes that salvation is not merely about escaping hell or receiving forgiveness, but rather it is the empowerment to achieve righteousness. He argues that true salvation satisfies the deepest human longing for righteousness, which is revealed through the gospel of Christ. The gospel provides the necessary power for individuals, regardless of their past, to transform their hearts, thoughts, and actions towards righteousness. Morgan asserts that this divine righteousness is made available to the unrighteous, enabling them to live in accordance with God's will.
Text
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ...For therein is the righteousness of God revealed..."
(Rom. 1:16-17).
Salvation is righteousness made possible. If you can tell me that salvation is deliverance from hell, I tell you that you have an utterly inadequate understanding of what salvation is. If you tell me that salvation is forgiveness of sins, I shall affirm that you have a very partial understanding of what salvation is. Unless there be more in salvation than deliverance from penalty and forgiveness of transgressions, then I solemnly say that salvation cannot satisfy my own heart and conscience...mere forgiveness of sins and deliverance from some penalty cannot satisfy the profoundest in human consciousness. Deep down in the common human consciousness there is a response to righteousness, an admission of its call, its beauty, its necessity
Salvation, then, is making possible that righteousness. Salvation is the power to do right. However enfeebled the will may be, however polluted the nature, the gospel comes bringing to men the message of power enabling them to do right. In the gospel is revealed a righteousness of God, which, as the Apostle argues and makes quite plain as he goes on with his great letter, is a righteousness which is placed at the disposal of the unrighteous man so that the unrighteous man may become righteous in heart and thought and will and deed.
Sermon Outline
- Definition of Salvation
- The Need for Righteousness
- The Power of Salvation
- The gospel brings power to do right
- The gospel reveals a righteousness of God
- The unrighteous man can become righteous through faith
Key Quotes
“Salvation is righteousness made possible.” — G. Campbell Morgan
“Salvation is the power to do right.” — G. Campbell Morgan
“Unless there be more in salvation than deliverance from penalty and forgiveness of transgressions, then I solemnly say that salvation cannot satisfy my own heart and conscience.” — G. Campbell Morgan
Application Points
- Recognize that salvation is not just about avoiding hell, but about becoming righteous in every aspect of our lives.
- Understand that the gospel brings power to do right, despite our weaknesses and flaws.
- Trust in the gospel to make us righteous, not just forgive our sins.