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Romans 3:21-26
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. After having studied Rom. 1:18-thru chapter 3, we have come to see clearly that all mankind stands condemned before God because all have sinned and come short of God’s glory. Paul now turns his attention to the very heartbeat of salvation. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul is going to explain exactly what salvation is, how it is received, and how it is revealed. When justification is used in Scripture, it means, “GOD declares a person to be legally released from all charges.” In 3:21-26 Paul explains how justification is received, and in 3:27-31 he explains
- HOW JUSTIFICATION IS REVEALED! Paul begins with the negative, telling us how justification is NOT revealed. Justification is not revealed through the Law, but apart from the Law. Notice how Paul wastes no time in setting the most fundamental principle of justification. There is no simpler way to say man can’t earn his salvation. Let me explain to you why the false doctrine of salvation by works is both blasphemous to God, and dangerous to those who practice it.
- All people are born already being guilty of breaking God’s law. Read Rom. 3:9-12, 23; 11:32 and Gal. 3:22.
- Salvation by works makes Man the giver of justification, not God. The bottom line is the doctrine of salvation by works is blasphemous to God because it ultimately says to Him, Your way of salvation by faith alone is not good enough, I have to add my works to my faith so You will be impressed with me! Do you see how the arrogance of a sinful nature is putting “me” first and making God’s grace secondary? Think about it!
- Works allows boasting. Those who have been saved longer can say, I have done more to impress God than you have, so I have a higher standing than you. God is an equal opportunity Redeemer! Furthermore He never withholds any blessing from anyone who deserves it. Even if a person comes to Christ later in life, they can receive more blessing that all they could ever ask or imagine!
- Works encourages or promotes bondage to others. Those who say they have been saved longer can, and do, tell others, you haven’t quite got it yet; or you have not worked hard enough, long enough to be where I am; or you aren’t as blessed as you see I am because you are still committing to many sins! Now Paul states positively how justification is received when he says in v. 22 “the righteousness of God is appropriated through faith in Jesus Christ.” Here is the easiest way to see what Paul is saying. But now the (ESV) righteousness of God has been made known, through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. You really don’t have to look all that closely to see the Law has nothing to do with justification. Read Gal. 3:1-25 where Paul explains this same truth to them. In v. 24 he tells them “the law was put in place to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.” Eph. 2:8, 9 clearly state justification/salvation is “…a gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Nothing can be a gift if one has to do anything to earn it. Justification can received only as a gift of God’s amazing grace. Paul also explains justification is:
- Available to all as a gift. 23, 24. So just as “all” have sinned, “all” are justified as a gift. Notice that the period comes after “through redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” In order to receive God’s gift of justification you must stop trusting in your own idea of how to get on His good side and doing things you think He will like; and you must start trusting God’s Perfect Son! Paul now tells us justification is revealed
- As Acknowledgment of God’s judgment – 25. The 1st word is propitiation which one excellent theologian defines as “a sacrifice that bears God’s wrath to the end and in so doing changes God’s wrath toward us into favor.” God’s forbearance is defined as “God restraining Himself from punishing sin to its fullest extent until Christ was on Calvary.” Because Christ hung there in your place and satisfied God’s wrath, He is now able to offer you a full pardon through Justification from God. Finally Paul brings us to the climax of this revelation:
- As Announcing God’s Righteousness – 26. In the truth that God’s justice and love meet at the Cross clearly helps us understand, as one writer says, “the problem of how a holy God can receive into His presence those who by nature are unholy has been solved. God offers His righteousness to those who will receive it, not as something to supplement their own good works but as a gift that alone can place them in a right standing with God.” Only a God Who is holy in all His perfections could conceive and execute a plan that would at the same time, completely satisfy the demands of His holy Law, and demonstrate His infinite love for all people everywhere – that would instantly remove their sin, clear their name, and draw them to Christ for salvation.
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