The Book of Romans tells us and shows us that the human heart is sick. Indeed, the self-salvation attempts to which all humans are so prone are both futile and unnecessary. For Romans teaches that, while immorality does not earn God’s favor (Romans 1), neither does morality (ch. 2). Our goodness cannot accomplish the salvation that our badness requires. “Works of the law” will justify “no human being” (3:20). Instead, God put forward his own Son to be a sacrifice for sin that turns away divine wrath (3:25). God the Father solves the human dilemma by sending God the Son and applying the benefits of the Son’s achievement by God the Holy Spirit (ch. 8).
The basic Outline is as follows
