Romans 3:21-31
21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to
which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. 29 Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
1. The good news is that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.
• Salvation in Romans is equated with being declared righteous or justified
• God, who is the Judge, declares us righteous and imputes to us His righteousness
• This transaction is on the basis of God’s grace and is received by faith
• In the book of Romans grace appears 22 times and faith 35 times
Titus 3:7
7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Romans 4:4-5
4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.
• Only God can save us and He does so on the basis of grace through faith
2. The good news of salvation is only through Christ because His death is the basis for our justification, redemption and propitiation
24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished
• Salvation is in Christ alone
• Justified freely by His grace; through the redemption that came by Christ…God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement
• 3 key Greek words: dikaio; apolutrosis; hilaskisthai. These words represent 3 metaphors: The courtroom; the slave market; the sacrificial system
• Through Christ’s death God has removed the barrier of sin and overcome its consequences in our lives, Christ is the good news!
3. The good news of salvation maintains God’s grace and God’s justice
24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus…— 26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
• God is the righteous judge who must punish sin and He is the gracious Savior who forgives sin
• His plan of salvation in Christ upholds both His grace and His justice
• God acts justly in punishing Christ and He acts in grace in extending to sinners the substitutionary work of Christ
4. The good news of salvation upholds the Law and establishes the principle of faith
27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. 29 Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
• Paul asks and answers 6 questions based on His teaching that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone
• 27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded
• On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.
• 29 Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.
• 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
• The Law serves the purpose not of saving us but of convicting us of our sin and pointing us to Christ
• In Christ we see that we are saved by our absolute trust, dependence and faith
• Faith is the way to come to God and walk with God
5. The good news of salvation gives us a new position before God
• This is a statement of the truest thing about us, it is what God says is true about us in Christ
• We are saved; we have been declared righteous; God set us free from sins control and consequences; God satisfied His own justice and wrath in judging sin and punishing Christ in our place. Therefore we have peace with God, we are free from sin and we are righteous!
• Have you put your faith in Christ to save you?
• Do you have the peace of God knowing that Christ is your atoning sacrifice and you will never receive God’s wrath for your sins?
• Are you experiencing freedom from sin’s control in your life because you have been redeemed?
• Are you living an increasingly righteous life because the truest thing about you is that you are righteous before God?