Romans 3:9 // Well then, are we [Jews] better off than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles) are under the control of sin and subject to its power.
Romans 3:19 // Now we know that whatever the Law [of Moses] says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that [the excuses of] every mouth may be silenced [from protesting] and that all the world may be held accountable to God [and subject to His judgment].
Romans 3:20-26 // For no person will be justified [freed of guilt and declared righteous] in His sight by [trying to do] the works of the Law. For through the Law we become conscious of sin [and the recognition of sin directs us toward repentance, but provides no remedy for sin].
But now the righteousness of God has been clearly revealed [independently and completely] apart from the Law, though it is [actually] confirmed by the Law and the [words and writings of the] Prophets. This righteousness of God comes THROUGH FAITH in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction, since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, and are being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved] grace, through the redemption [the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ Jesus, whom God displayed publicly [before the eyes of the world] as a [life-giving] sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation (propitiation) by His blood [to be received] through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness [which demands punishment for sin], because in His forbearance [His deliberate restraint] He passed over the sins previously committed [before Jesus’ crucifixion]. It was to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the One who justifies those who have FAITH in Jesus [and rely confidently on Him as Savior].
- Only those who know what it is to be lost can fully appreciate what it means to be found
- BUT NOW
Romans 3:23 // For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Romans 1:25 //. …they traded the truth of God for a lie
- 3 key words:
JUSTIFICATION
REDEMPTION
PROPITIATION
- Justification: the action of declaring or making righteous in the sight of God.
Romans 3:24 // …and are being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved] grace, through the redemption [the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ Jesus.
- Justification = Acquittal AND Acceptance
- Acquittal means we’re not guilty
Acceptance means we are accepted
- Acquittal means we’ve been saved from hell
Acceptance means we’ve been made a child of God
- When God looks at you he sees the righteousness of His son.
- Redemption-deliverance or release by the payment of a price
Romans 3:24b // …justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus
- Our ransom has been paid by the precious blood of Jesus
Mark 10:45 // For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many
- Propitiation-averting the wrath of God by the offering of a gift
Hebrews 2:17 // Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people
1 John 2:2 // He [Jesus Christ] is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world
1 John 4:10 // In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins
- NOW WHAT? How does this glorious reality become ours today?
- Not by works, but by FAITH
Romans 3:22 // This righteousness is given THROUGH FAITH in Jesus Christ to all who believe
Romans 3:25 // The blessings of propitiation are to be received BY FAITH
Romans 3:26 // God is shown to be just and the justifier of the one who has FAITH in Jesus
Romans 3:28 // For we hold that one is justified BY FAITH apart from works of the law
Ephesians 2:8-9 // For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] THROUGH FAITH. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; 9 not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation].
