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Crucial Questions #26
How Can I Be Right with God?
God is holy, and we are sinful. God cannot stand to look upon sin. But the gospel of Jesus Christ reveals how sinful people can be right with God.
In this booklet, Dr. R.C. Sproul delves into Scripture and church history to explore the doctrine of justification by faith alone. In so doing, he explains that by faith alone in Christ alone, sinful men and women can be justified and stand forgiven before a holy God.
The Crucial Questions booklet series by Dr. R.C. Sproul offers succinct answers to important questions often asked by Christians and thoughtful inquirers.
In this booklet, Dr. R.C. Sproul delves into Scripture and church history to explore the doctrine of justification by faith alone. In so doing, he explains that by faith alone in Christ alone, sinful men and women can be justified and stand forgiven before a holy God.
The Crucial Questions booklet series by Dr. R.C. Sproul offers succinct answers to important questions often asked by Christians and thoughtful inquirers.
82 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 14, 2019
249 people are currently reading
513 people want to read
About the author
R.C. Sproul
673 books1,947 followersDr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando, Fla. He was founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.
Ligonier Ministries began in 1971 as the Ligonier Valley Study Center in Ligonier, Pa. In an effort to respond more effectively to the growing demand for Dr. Sproul’s teachings and the ministry’s other educational resources, the general offices were moved to Orlando in 1984, and the ministry was renamed.
Dr. Sproul’s radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online. Dr. Sproul produced hundreds of lecture series and recorded numerous video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics, and Christian living.
He contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, and academic institutions around the world, and wrote more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He signed the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and wrote a commentary on that document. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible, previously known as the New Geneva Study Bible.
Dr. Sproul had a distinguished academic teaching career at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and Jackson, Miss. He was ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 3, 2018
Christianity is a body of doctrines that were proclaimed to the world, first by Christ and then His Apostles, that we are called to embrace and to believe. It matters what we believe, and it matters eternally.
The question becomes what are your trusting and how do you rely on your reconciliation with God? There are many differences in denomination of faith in Christianity however, the text is concentrated on justification. What it is. What it is not and the differences between the Catholic Church and the reformation.
Do we rely on the sacraments for salvation such as baptism and communion? Why is it important that our justification be in Christ alone. The simple answer is anything else changes the Gospel. The gospel is what is at stake.
RC Sproul in this short text uses clarity in what the word means and the purpose of justification. I highly recommend.
A Special Thank You to Ligonier Ministries and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
The question becomes what are your trusting and how do you rely on your reconciliation with God? There are many differences in denomination of faith in Christianity however, the text is concentrated on justification. What it is. What it is not and the differences between the Catholic Church and the reformation.
Do we rely on the sacraments for salvation such as baptism and communion? Why is it important that our justification be in Christ alone. The simple answer is anything else changes the Gospel. The gospel is what is at stake.
RC Sproul in this short text uses clarity in what the word means and the purpose of justification. I highly recommend.
A Special Thank You to Ligonier Ministries and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
December 1, 2019
I got this book for free from Amazon and read over Thanksgiving break. It is a short read which I enjoyed, but it is rich on the subject of justification by faith alone, the key word being "alone." Sproul writes with simple clarity on this subject and shows some of the problems other faith systems have with the idea that it is faith plus works. He breaks down true faith. This is a very good little book an very clear in what is being said.
January 19, 2018
R.C. Sproul tackles the entire of concept of justification and goes through the paces of explaining both the Protestant as well as the Roman Catholic view on the subject. That being said, he is a Protestant, so there's a significant amount given to Martin Luther and how he wrestled with the subject and came to the conclusions that he did. It's definitely worth a read.
Currently reading
May 7, 2025Writing review for testing
January 2, 2020
A typical Sproul read.
A short, concise summary of the how sinners are justified in God's sight. As is commonplace in 'Sproulian' literature, there is a common theme of contrast of the orthodox Reformed position to that of the Roman Catholics on one side and the Arminian/Synergist/Semi - Pelagian position on the other.
Sproul walks the reader through the doctrine of justification by faith alone, Luther's rediscovery of the Gospel as a starting point. He emphasises justification as God's legal declaration of actual sinners as righteous on the basis of the 'Great Exchange' of double imputation - Christ's righteousness and good works to us, and our sin and filthy, corrupt works to Him. This, Sproul argues, is applied to us on the basis of faith alone. This faith must be a true, Biblical faith, containing a trust (fiducia) rather than simply an acquiescence to facts.
Honestly, this work provides no novel insight or even a particularly remarkable way in which to present the doctrine of justification by faith alone, which aids in the clarity of a book clearly designed as an overview - perhaps to those new in the faith.
A short, concise summary of the how sinners are justified in God's sight. As is commonplace in 'Sproulian' literature, there is a common theme of contrast of the orthodox Reformed position to that of the Roman Catholics on one side and the Arminian/Synergist/Semi - Pelagian position on the other.
Sproul walks the reader through the doctrine of justification by faith alone, Luther's rediscovery of the Gospel as a starting point. He emphasises justification as God's legal declaration of actual sinners as righteous on the basis of the 'Great Exchange' of double imputation - Christ's righteousness and good works to us, and our sin and filthy, corrupt works to Him. This, Sproul argues, is applied to us on the basis of faith alone. This faith must be a true, Biblical faith, containing a trust (fiducia) rather than simply an acquiescence to facts.
Honestly, this work provides no novel insight or even a particularly remarkable way in which to present the doctrine of justification by faith alone, which aids in the clarity of a book clearly designed as an overview - perhaps to those new in the faith.
September 7, 2023
I love RC Sproul and found this little book extremely helpful. I hope to share this book with many people in the future…especially people asking the most important question: “how can I be right with God?”
February 16, 2018
The late Dr. R.C. Sproul writes that the gospel tells us how we can be right with God. In this short book, he looks at the doctrine of justification. That doctrine explains how we, as unjust people, can be reconciled to a just and holy God. Justification takes place when God declares a person to be just in His sight.
The author tells us that the good news of the gospel is that we don’t have to wait until we become perfectly righteous before God will consider us and declare us righteous. We are made and declared righteous by virtue of God’s imputing to us the righteousness of Christ. Christ’s righteousness and merit are attributed to us while we are still sinners.
God declares us just, not because He looks at us and sees our righteousness, but because He sees the righteousness of Christ. God counts the righteousness of Christ for us, and does not count our own sins against us.
The author compares the Reformed view and the Roman Catholic views. In the Reformed view, the righteousness of Christ is imputed by faith to the believer. In the Roman Catholic view, the righteousness of Christ is infused into someone via the sacraments. That person must then cooperate with this infusion of grace in order to become truly righteous.
We are told that faith is the instrument by which we are linked to the righteousness of Christ. Faith is the conduit through which His righteousness is given to us. The instant someone has true faith, God declares them justified and imputes to them all of the merit of Christ, so that all that Christ is and all that He has accomplished becomes his.
The author tells us that throughout, the Bible describes the relationship between a holy God and unholy people as a relationship of estrangement. However, when we are justified, we have peace with God that is forever.
The author tells us that the good news of the gospel is that we don’t have to wait until we become perfectly righteous before God will consider us and declare us righteous. We are made and declared righteous by virtue of God’s imputing to us the righteousness of Christ. Christ’s righteousness and merit are attributed to us while we are still sinners.
God declares us just, not because He looks at us and sees our righteousness, but because He sees the righteousness of Christ. God counts the righteousness of Christ for us, and does not count our own sins against us.
The author compares the Reformed view and the Roman Catholic views. In the Reformed view, the righteousness of Christ is imputed by faith to the believer. In the Roman Catholic view, the righteousness of Christ is infused into someone via the sacraments. That person must then cooperate with this infusion of grace in order to become truly righteous.
We are told that faith is the instrument by which we are linked to the righteousness of Christ. Faith is the conduit through which His righteousness is given to us. The instant someone has true faith, God declares them justified and imputes to them all of the merit of Christ, so that all that Christ is and all that He has accomplished becomes his.
The author tells us that throughout, the Bible describes the relationship between a holy God and unholy people as a relationship of estrangement. However, when we are justified, we have peace with God that is forever.
January 25, 2024
An extremely concise book that explains clearly, the doctrine of justification by "God’s grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.” - sola fide - and ultimately, sends forth the Gospel (good news)!
Sproul goes through the Reformers' reasons for justification by faith alone, going in order from the falleness of man, to how, through faith alone in Christ alone, one can receive the supreme and beautiful gifts of peace and reconciliation with God Almighty, and access to Him, through our Lord Jesus Christ.
“those who have peace with God, having been justified by faith in the finished work of Christ, have access into that grace, into His presence, in which we now stand. That is the supreme privilege granted to the believer by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.”
We need only to believe that all that Jesus did was true (His virgin birth, His sinless life here on Earth, His atoning death and His resurrection), and most importantly put our personal trust in Him, trusting that all that He did, and His righteousness alone, covers our sins, and is the reason we can now we be reconciled with God!
"The biblical object of faith is Christ and Him alone. We must put our trust in Him and rely on Him exclusively to be our Redeemer and Mediator."
Love this book! Would most definitely recommend, and am excited to read more of the 'Crucial Questions' series :)
Sproul goes through the Reformers' reasons for justification by faith alone, going in order from the falleness of man, to how, through faith alone in Christ alone, one can receive the supreme and beautiful gifts of peace and reconciliation with God Almighty, and access to Him, through our Lord Jesus Christ.
“those who have peace with God, having been justified by faith in the finished work of Christ, have access into that grace, into His presence, in which we now stand. That is the supreme privilege granted to the believer by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.”
We need only to believe that all that Jesus did was true (His virgin birth, His sinless life here on Earth, His atoning death and His resurrection), and most importantly put our personal trust in Him, trusting that all that He did, and His righteousness alone, covers our sins, and is the reason we can now we be reconciled with God!
"The biblical object of faith is Christ and Him alone. We must put our trust in Him and rely on Him exclusively to be our Redeemer and Mediator."
Love this book! Would most definitely recommend, and am excited to read more of the 'Crucial Questions' series :)
March 24, 2021
Another fantastic read from R.C. Sproul, this time all about the notion of God's grace, and how none of us is without sin, which is why we needed Jesus to die on the cross for us. The book uses Acts 16: 30-31, when the Phillipan jailer asks Paul what he has to do in order to be right with God.
I loved how simplistic some of the illustrations that R.C. Sproul left in this book, one of which involved drawing circles to represent God, Jesus and humankind, and adding blemishes to indicate the level of sin in each one. The circles representing God and Jesus would remain spotless, because They are without sin, but the circle representing us would be entirely filled in.
It's good to be reminded that none of us is perfect, particularly as I often struggle with guilt about things I have done, and am tempted feel that I'm the only one who isn't perfect.
The book concludes with a quote from Hebrews 10 (vv19-22) about how Jesus is our Great High Priest and intercessor, a good book to be reminded of, particularly as I'm studying it right now.
I loved how simplistic some of the illustrations that R.C. Sproul left in this book, one of which involved drawing circles to represent God, Jesus and humankind, and adding blemishes to indicate the level of sin in each one. The circles representing God and Jesus would remain spotless, because They are without sin, but the circle representing us would be entirely filled in.
It's good to be reminded that none of us is perfect, particularly as I often struggle with guilt about things I have done, and am tempted feel that I'm the only one who isn't perfect.
The book concludes with a quote from Hebrews 10 (vv19-22) about how Jesus is our Great High Priest and intercessor, a good book to be reminded of, particularly as I'm studying it right now.
May 7, 2023
I found myself being a bit tired at times as I read this, so I may not have retained this as well as my last Crucial Questions book, but Sproul talks about the importance of justification by faith alone, its history, definition, and its benefits. It’s so crucial that, in fact, it’s the doctrine upon which the church stands or falls. There is a beautiful description of the Great Exchange between Christ and us where He imputes His righteousness upon us and He takes our sins upon Himself sacrificially.
He mentions how those who are justified and have peace with God and access to His glorious presence.
A part that stuck out to me was a quote from chapter 2 of James where it’s mentioned that the knowledge and recognition of the truth claims of Christ only qualifies us to be demons, and we need to additionally trust Christ and rely upon Him for our salvation.
I enjoyed this little book. These are better to sit down and read in one or two sittings.
He mentions how those who are justified and have peace with God and access to His glorious presence.
A part that stuck out to me was a quote from chapter 2 of James where it’s mentioned that the knowledge and recognition of the truth claims of Christ only qualifies us to be demons, and we need to additionally trust Christ and rely upon Him for our salvation.
I enjoyed this little book. These are better to sit down and read in one or two sittings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2020
I had hoped this might be a good outreach tool for those asking questions about salvation. And I suppose for the right person, it still may be. However, for the vast majority, this delves a bit too deep into history and probably some deeper theology.
All that said, I did enjoy reading this. And had I not been looking for an outreach tool, it would have been a good nights worth of reading.
All that said, I did enjoy reading this. And had I not been looking for an outreach tool, it would have been a good nights worth of reading.
May 4, 2024
RC Sproul explained true faith brilliantly with examples that everyone can understand. I really liked the chapter about what we do with our guilt, and the end-result is to have our sins forgiven as far as the east is from the west. Remission of our sins with real-world examples. I will definitely read this book again.
May 13, 2018
Simply stated, this is the best, most succinct, explanation and biblical exposition of the doctrine of Justification of Faith that I have encountered to date. Highly recommended.
And if you get the eBook, as I did, you can't beat the price (FREE).
And if you get the eBook, as I did, you can't beat the price (FREE).
February 6, 2021
Enjoyable Reminders
The portions on Martin Luther offered much insight into the doctrine of justification. I highly recommend this quickly read book to all who ponder of being right with God.
The portions on Martin Luther offered much insight into the doctrine of justification. I highly recommend this quickly read book to all who ponder of being right with God.
September 17, 2021
Simple and to the point. RC does a wonderful job at delineating how to come to have peace and access with God. Highly recommend as a beautiful reminder to the believer and also as a wonderful resource for someone who does not have peace with God! Excellent.
November 22, 2021
How to be right with God is one of the most important questions a person can ask, but where do you begin with such a question. In this booklet of the Crucial Questions Series, author R.C. Sproul breaks down the components of the question, including the human problem of guilt and what the cross of Jesus really means in relation to this issue. Using his usual simple language, Sproul explores imputation, the Roman Catholic view versus the Reformed view, and more. If you have any questions about how to be right with God, this booklet is a great foundation to begin to explore the answers.
March 15, 2024
Justification by Faith
A deep study about connecting with God as the author introduces the life & history of Martin Luther at the beginning of this book. This book is more theological & inspirational
A deep study about connecting with God as the author introduces the life & history of Martin Luther at the beginning of this book. This book is more theological & inspirational
January 13, 2018
This is a succinct and lucid explanation of the doctrine of justification by faith.
April 10, 2019
Biblical, Sharp, Rock-Steady discourse on Faith, Justification from Sin, Reconciliation and Peace.
September 15, 2019
it's good enough for the length
March 29, 2020
A good lesson.
December 18, 2021
Insightful and very clear in explaining the answers to the question.
January 2, 2022
Concise but accurate
While short, only but pages, Spoil does a great job of covering the basics, supporting it with scripture, and explaining how it differs from Catholic beliefs.
While short, only but pages, Spoil does a great job of covering the basics, supporting it with scripture, and explaining how it differs from Catholic beliefs.
January 29, 2022
The doctrine of justification explained here.
Read
March 21, 2022Excellent read - well set out... recommended
August 15, 2022
Great book; great series!
Another great book, breaking the word/topic down clearly and concisely in clear English and in a way that one can follow and grow from; love it!
Another great book, breaking the word/topic down clearly and concisely in clear English and in a way that one can follow and grow from; love it!
February 13, 2023
Love how RC weaves history together with the mechanisms of salvation
April 9, 2023
RC is a master of clarity and depth. This is a short read that packs a powerful theological punch.
December 21, 2023
As a baby Christian, this short book really helped me understand what saving faith actually means on a deeper level.
April 10, 2025
Very clear & concise. Appreciate Dr Sproul’s works as always.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews