Based on the sources, the core message is that God justifies the ungodly. This is presented as a very wonderful and surprising truth. Contrary to human nature, which expects God's favor to be for the good, pure, and holy, or those who have earned it through works, the gospel is uniquely for those who are the opposite.

The ungodly are described in various ways: they are sinners whom Jesus came to save, they are the lost, they are unconverted individuals who have lived without God or disregarded Him, they are undeserving, ill-deserving, hell-deserving, and they are spiritually sick and altogether undone by sin. They are those in whom God knows "there is no goodness whatever" and whose own righteousness is like "filthy rags".

God's justification is a miracle: He makes those who are unjust to stand justly accepted before Him, forgiving those who deserve to be punished, and favoring those who deserve no favor. This is not based on anything good in the person, but on God's own goodness, infinite love, and mercy.

Crucially, the gospel is not for the perfectly righteous or self-righteous men who feel they need no Saviour or justification. They do not need the Physician or pardon because they do not acknowledge their sickness or sin.

Therefore, the gospel is meant for the ungodly sinner who "worketh not" (is not relying on their own efforts) but "believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly". The invitation is to come just as you are, in your sin and "worst estate," without attempting to reform yourself first, because God is willing to receive you without anything to recommend you. Recognizing your ungodliness is actually the very reason you can be saved.

Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologian

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