RIGHTEOUSNESS
Romans 3
The Righteousness Of God
Paul answers the objections and questions that he anticipates from his Jewish readers. Paul has just asserted that being a Jew or having the sign of the covenant would not safeguard someone from the judgment of God, but that does not mean there is no advantage or benefit in being a Jew. The Jewish people were entrusted with the Scriptures. The unfaithfulness of God's covenant people does not negate the faithfulness of God. Paul dismisses any idea that our sin magnifies his righteousness by pointing out that God would have no basis for his judgment and wrath. How could anyone question God's right to condemn believing that their sin abounds to God's glory? God is just, and therefore his condemnation is just.
No One Is Righteous
Paul makes it clear again that all people are under sin and then gives a lengthy quote from the Old Testament to support this view of mankind. No one is righteous. No one understands. No one seeks God. Paul mentions the throat, the tongue, the lips, the mouth, the feet and the eyes. The body that God has given them is used by sinful people for sinful purposes.Everyone is under the law of God to some degree, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Paul sets up a courtroom scene, and God is sitting on the bench. The indictment is being read, and there is nothing that can be said or done to justify sin. Therefore no one will be declared righteous by God because they observed the law. God is just; man is not. How can those of us who are unjust ever be justified? Excuses for sin never justify the sin. The law gives one a knowledge of sin.
The Righteousness Of God Through Faith
God provides righteousness for unrighteous people through faith in Jesus Christ. The way of forgiveness is offered to all through the sacrificial death of Christ. Justified is a legal term meaning to declare righteous. On the basis of what Christ has accomplished for sinners on the cross, God now views those who believe through the lens of Jesus Christ.
God’s justification of those who believe is by his grace through faith. Grace points to God’s free and unmerited favor by which God gives to believers declared them as righteous. God deals with sin decisively through the work of Jesus Christ. Christ satisfied the wrath of God by paying the price for human sin. By Christ’s sacrifice, God has satisfied or propitiated His own wrath. Justification is a gift can never be imposed by an obligation; nor can it be earned or deserved. God presented Jesus as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith. God does not turn a blind eye to sin or overlook sin, and he will not pronounce guilty people innocent. Christ reconciles the sinner to God by paying the ransom that is required. God deals with sin decisively through the blood of Jesus Christ. The cross of Jesus Christ redeems us and vindicates God. God did this to vindicate his righteousness, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. God is the God of Jews and Gentiles alike.
Things To Consider:
- Why does the scripture matter?
- How is the scripture and advantage for the Jews?
- What are the implications of sin?
- If no one seeks God, how can they know him?
- How does the law give a knowledge of sin?
- How is someone justified?
- How is God both just and the justifier?
- What did Christ redeem us from?
- What is faith?
- Why is faith necessary?