If salvation is God’s free gift to those who confess Jesus as Lord, then why are so many of today’s Christians worried that they might lose that salvation? In The Free Gift of Righteousness, Dr. Eric Mackey takes his readers on a treasure hunt through the heart of Romans to show them once and for all that our actions cannot earn our salvation, and our actions cannot cause us to lose it. Using the stories of Abraham’s justifi cation and circumcision in the book of Genesis, as well as references throughout the entire book of Romans, Dr. Mackey argues that justification is never a result of works, only faith in Jesus the Christ.

This is a compelling work, suitable for Bible studies, personal devotions, or seminary classes. Mackey makes the words of Paul to the Roman Saints accessible to all readers, regardless of theological or denominational background.

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The Gift of Righteousness Part I is vital to current and future generations of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. As a Pastor, I don’t know the number of times apparent children of God have come to me in fear, for some reason or another, of having their salvation taken from them by the Lord. In framing the whole discussion in the language of “righteousness,” Dr. Mackey cuts to the chase of the debate about security and insecurity in Jesus Christ. Knowing that our sins are forgiven and forgiven all the time—the very definition of righteousness—is an unbeatable weapon against Christian despair and doubt.

Dr. Mackey’s skilful integration of the nature and process of Abraham’s acquiring of God’s righteousness by grace through faith and the more reluctant and confused appreciation of this precept in so many churches of today is truly blessed.

Readers will be blessed by the fact that Dr. Mackey is not only a prolific writer whose works will soon become widely known and adopted, but also a great writer, speaker and preacher. Although he can be thunderous and provocative at times, his public sermons have been described as a “soft rain.” Pastors, preachers, teachers and ordinary Christians can and will benefi t from this and forthcoming books by this author.

—Reverend James Mackey, Pastor, Masters in Theology (BBL)