Romans 3:21-31 (NIV)
Righteousness Through Faith
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, m through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness 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. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29 Or 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.
I will be the first to admit that I have a few speeding tickets that I am not proud of. I was young, and I had a need for speed. I remember the feeling every time a police officer would pull me over. My stomach would drop, because I knew I had broken the law and that consequences were coming. I never tried to argue my way out of a ticket, though. I was taught to own my decisions and bear the consequences—that’s part of growing up. Sometimes the officer would write me a ticket, and other times, he would let me off with a warning.
It’s interesting, because that moment captures a real tension. On the one hand, we recognize that we deserve punishment. On the other hand, we are desperately hoping to be shown grace.
Paul makes it abundantly clear that Jews and Gentiles share one thing in common: we all stand condemned because we are lawbreakers. But Paul also makes it abundantly clear that, because of God’s incredible love, He made a way for us to be set free from our rightful sentence. Jesus Christ, through His atoning sacrifice, became the propitiation for sin so that all who put their trust in Him are justified and declared righteous. What an incredible truth to ponder.
Paul also reminds us that none of us should boast in this. We cannot boast as if we had some part in our salvation. If we are going to boast at all, we boast in Christ alone and the price He paid.
This weekend we will explore the theological truth of justification by faith—how faith alone (sola fide) is what leads us to salvation.
Blake Cox
Righteousness Through Faith
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, m through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness 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. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29 Or 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.
I will be the first to admit that I have a few speeding tickets that I am not proud of. I was young, and I had a need for speed. I remember the feeling every time a police officer would pull me over. My stomach would drop, because I knew I had broken the law and that consequences were coming. I never tried to argue my way out of a ticket, though. I was taught to own my decisions and bear the consequences—that’s part of growing up. Sometimes the officer would write me a ticket, and other times, he would let me off with a warning.
It’s interesting, because that moment captures a real tension. On the one hand, we recognize that we deserve punishment. On the other hand, we are desperately hoping to be shown grace.
Paul makes it abundantly clear that Jews and Gentiles share one thing in common: we all stand condemned because we are lawbreakers. But Paul also makes it abundantly clear that, because of God’s incredible love, He made a way for us to be set free from our rightful sentence. Jesus Christ, through His atoning sacrifice, became the propitiation for sin so that all who put their trust in Him are justified and declared righteous. What an incredible truth to ponder.
Paul also reminds us that none of us should boast in this. We cannot boast as if we had some part in our salvation. If we are going to boast at all, we boast in Christ alone and the price He paid.
This weekend we will explore the theological truth of justification by faith—how faith alone (sola fide) is what leads us to salvation.
Blake Cox
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