What does God do when we believe the Gospel and Romans 3:23 applies to us?
When a person believes Romans 3:23 applies personally—that they are a sinner through Adam—and trusts the finished work of the cross, God justifies, saves, declares righteous, places into the Body, sanctifies, glorifies, forgives, and Spirit-baptizes into Christ. This is grace, not legalism, received by simply believing the Gospel.
Les explains that he is not promoting easy believism. The point is that when we totally believe Romans 3:23 is speaking about us—that we are sinners by virtue of being sons of Adam—and believe the work of the cross has done everything, God acts. Les says God justifies us, saves us, declares us righteous, places us into the Body, sanctifies, glorifies, forgives, and has His own system of baptism. That baptism is the Holy Spirit placing us into the Body of Christ, all because we simply believe the Gospel. Les also notes that the justifier is for him that believeth, not for those relying on speaking in tongues, joining the Church, getting baptized, and all these other things. There is no legalism tied to it; it is grace.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
More Questions
What does Romans 3:23 say about all people?
According to Romans 3:23, every person ever born into the human race has sinned and come short of the glory of God.