Romans #6

Short Week. 

April 18-23, 2011

Romans 3:21-31

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—

·       Now: the time of Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the tomb AND from there on out.  

·       Righteousness of God speaks of God’s character that is morally right…that He provided a way for sinners to be in communion with Him.

·       Apart from the law means that it is apart from human obedience. It was all God who allowed for this communion.

·       OT prophesied this way of Salvation. The gospel is not contrary to the law.  Both were a fulfillment of the Old Testament.

22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:

·       Because of this righteousness, all who believe on Christ can have this right standing with Christ.

·       He can give salvation to whomever He wants because no one deserves it more than anyone else.

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

·       No one can take credit for his or her salvation. We have all fallen short and deserve wrath.

·       ALL have exchanged God’s glory for idolatry.

24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

·       Justified: declared not guilty, but righteous by the divine judge.

·       Grace: merited favor. *the source of justification.

·       Jesus Christ is the gift, his blood on the cross redeemed us from our sin.

·       Redemption brings freedom.

·       Redemption: apolyrosis. Used in the Old Testament to reference a slave who was being bought OUT of slavery. So we have been set free of the slavery OF SIN.

·       Justification is the opposite of condemnation. Both are pronouncements from the judge.

25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

·       Propitiation: God sacrificed his perfect and Holy son, for His wrath to be taken out on His Son instead of us. …hilasterion: for someone to placate his or her anger.

·       God’s righteous anger needed to be appeased before He could dismiss sin.

·       His righteousness refers to His justice here.

·       Former Sins: in the old testament, propitiation is discussed.

·       Whom God put forward: public display on Clavary

·       Christ on the cross: *the ground of our justification.

26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

·       At the cross, God’s love and justice meet.

·       The cross showed God’s present and forever existing justice for those who have Christ. 

·       Faith: *the means of justification

27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.

·       We can’t brag.

·       We can’t save ourselves.

·       God gets ALL of the glory and honor for saving us from our sin. We are not able to seek Him in sin.

·       1 Cor 2:26-29

28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

·       Nothing that we DO can earn us salvation.

·       Works, in faith, bring God glory.

·       FAITH alone brings salvation and total dependency on Christ.

29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,

30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

·       Through Christ, Jews AND Gentiles are able to be saved. He is God of All.

·       Faith alone brings salvation.

31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

·       With this faith, we are able to carry out the law. Although it can not save, it serves as guidance in our journey in Christ.

·       Paul here does not say that the law is irrelevant, but speaks that it is not a means of salvation.