According to Paul's writings, how are believers cleansed, forgiven, and justified from all things?
Believers are cleansed, forgiven, and justified from all things by virtue of their faith in the finished work of the cross. This standing is not based on merit or deserving but on Christ's work on their behalf and God's matchless grace, making them blameless before Him.
Les teaches that this is the consistent testimony throughout Paul's writings: believers have been cleansed and forgiven, and they are justified from all things by faith in the finished work of the cross. Even if they slip and fall, when the Lord comes they are blameless. Ephesians 1 says they are set apart and without blame before Him, not because they merit or deserve it, but because of what Christ has done on their behalf and because of His matchless grace. In love, He predestinated them unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. The word adoption appears in Romans and Galatians, and in the Greek it did not mean taking a child from that union and legally making him ours.