In summary, salvation is a gift rooted solely in God's grace through faith in Christ. It includes all believers—Jew and Gentile alike—who trust in His finished work. Our standing before God is secure because of Christ’s sacrifice, not because of our efforts. Grace is both our salvation and our shield—divine mercy that sustains us, defends us, and upholds us in the face of accusations and doubts. We are called to trust wholly in His work, knowing that His promises are sure and that His grace is sufficient for every need. Looking back to the Old Testament, the sacrifices offered in the temple serve as mere symbols—outward acts performed by fallen human hands attempting to appease divine justice. These rituals could never grant true forgiveness or eternal life; they pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice that was to come. The sacrifices were temporary and earthly—they could not satisfy the infinite justice of a holy God. To truly appease His righteous anger and fully atone for sin, an eternal and perfect sacrifice was necessary—one that could stand forever before the throne of grace. That sacrifice was fulfilled in Christ, whose death on the cross was once and for all, an eternal offering that covers all sins—past, present, and future—for everyone whom He has chosen. His sacrifice is sufficient, complete, and unwavering. When believers stumble into sin, God calls them to confess their sins openly and honestly. However, it’s crucial to understand that confession does not earn forgiveness; forgiveness was already secured by Christ’s sacrificial death. His sacrifice has once and for all borne away the guilt, the judgment, and the eternal separation from God that sin incurs. As a result, the believer stands before God as completely accepted—clothed in the righteousness of Christ—treated as if they were sinless in His sight. This profound truth forms the foundation of our confidence and praise. We do not rely on our own righteousness or good deeds but rest in the finished work of Christ. For those who feel timid or uncertain about their standing before God, I want to emphasize the simplicity and mercy of the gospel. It is a divine gift, not a burden to be earned. Our natural tendency is to doubt the sufficiency of Christ’s work or to shrink back from the assurance that grace provides. We live in a world where many craft idols of goodness—self-righteousness, moral achievement, or religious activity—attempting to earn God's favor. These efforts distort the gospel, turning grace into a currency that can be manipulated or earned. Such attitudes only lead to misery a mirroring those who stubbornly ignore God's watchful eye and refuse His mercy. Within the lineage of Christ, we observe a remarkable inclusion of Gentile converts—those individuals who previously had no part in the Mosaic covenant, who bore no outward sign of belonging through circumcision or other ceremonial markers. These people, often considered outsiders by the Jewish community, were nevertheless brought into God's family by His divine mercy. God, in His compassionate grace, delivered them from the corrupt system of works and external rituals that could never truly cleanse or save. Their salvation was not based on meeting any outward requirements or performing specific acts, but solely on God’s unmerited favor. This demonstrates that salvation has always been by grace, through faith, rooted solely in Christ alone. It is established on the covenant of grace—a divine promise that does not depend on human effort, rituals, or merit, but on God's sovereign kindness. Grace remains the powerful refuge for the sinner who perseveres in faith. It is a sustaining mercy amid the ruins and despair of fallen humanity. Yet, many attempt to elevate their own abilities by creating lists of “good deeds” or moral achievements, trying to diminish Christ’s sacrifice or place limits on divine grace. Such schemes diminish the glory of Christ and seek to impose conditions on God's eternal work. They are acts of rebellion against His sovereignty—an assertion that human effort can somehow add to or modify God's perfect plan. We must recognize that our confidence is fragile when we entertain such reasoning, but let us remember: God will not be mocked. His work is perfect, His grace is unmerited, and His salvation is wholly dependent on His divine mercy and sovereign purpose. Furthermore, through Christ’s victory, we have unfettered access to all the promises of God. We approach the throne of grace with boldness because Christ has paved the way for us. Even when accusations arise—whether from our conscience, the enemy, or the world—our protection is grounded in His sovereign grace. Grace functions not only as our means of salvation but also as our shield—divine mercy that sustains and upholds us amid the doubts, fears, and charges that seek to undermine our security in Christ. It is a divine gift that preserves us within the bounds of God's grace, preventing us from falling away and giving us confidence in His eternal promise.