LessonFive--Romans3:21-31
Christ has prepared a righteousness for us that is ours by faith
3:21-25 Paul describes God's righteousness apart from the law
Paulhasconcludedhisdiscussiononthe lawandGod'scondemnationofthe lawbreakerbysayingthatthelawdoes nothingbutrevealoursinsandour accountabilitytoGod.
Againstthebackdropofourown unrighteousness,Paultellsusthegood newsthatGodhaspreparedanother righteousnessforus,whichhegivesus asagift.
Focusonthefollowingphrasesorwords takenfromthissection.Inyourown words,jotdowntheirmeanings.
1. righteousness
2. apartfromlaw
3. madeknown
4. throughfaith
5. thegloryofGod
6. justified
7. grace
8. redemption
9. atonementseat
Nowparaphrasetheseversesbyfilling intheblanks: Butnow_________________________, ____________________________,from Godhasbeen_________________.This isnothingnew.In fact,thelawandthe prophets_________________________. This___________________comestous through___________________inJesus Christ.Thisistheonlywayanyonecan besavedbecauseall________________ ____________andcannotmeasureupto ________________________________.
InChrist,allare___________________ withoutanycost,strictlybecauseof God's_______________.InJesusChrist God____________________________. GodsenthisSontothecrosstodie _______________________,makingus _________________________withhim throughfaithin____________________ Jesusshedfromthecross.
1997NorthwesternPublishingHouse.Reprintedbypermission.
Whatthelawcouldnotdo,Jesus Christdid.Byhissacrificehe preparedrighteousnessand forgivenessforallpeople.Thisgiftis oursbyfaith.
3:25,26 God can now forgive all people and be just at the same time
Forgivingthesinnerandshowingjustice tothesinneraremutuallyexclusive actions.HowcanGodforgiveandbe just,andhowcanhebejustandstill forgive? Paulanswersthisquestion:It allhingesonthecross.
WasGodunjustinnotpunishingevery sinintheOldTestament?
WhyisGodjusteventhoughhedoesnot punishoursins?
Godcanbejustandatthesametime forgivesinbecausethedemandsof hisjusticeweresatisfiedbyJesus Christ.Jesuspaidthepenaltyforour sinsoGodcouldjustifytheguilty.
3:27-30 Jews and Gentiles are saved by faith; neither can boast
InthissectionPaulpullseverything together.JewsandGentilesaresavedin thesameway--byfaith.Noonecan boastabouthisownrighteousness,for righteousnesscomestousasagiftof GodinChrist.
Whydoesfaithnullifyaperson'srightto boast?
WhyareJewsandGentilesequally qualifiedtobechildrenofGod?
FaithremovesaChristian'srightto boast.Theonlynecessary qualificationforeternallifeisbeinga sinnerwhobelievesinGod's justificationofthesinnerinChrist.
3:31 Only the doctrine of faith upholds the law
Verse31 Allthetalkaboutfaithseems toimplythatGod'slawisworthlessand foolish.However,itisjusttheopposite. Howdoestheteachingoffaithuphold thelawwhenwethinkaboutJesus' work?
Howdoestheteachingoffaithuphold thelawwhenwethinkaboutthenew creationGodhasmadeofus?
Faithupholdsthelaw.Christhas fulfilledthelawforus,andthrough faithwebeginforthefirsttimeto trulyserveGod.
1997NorthwesternPublishingHouse.Reprintedbypermission.
Summary
Godhaspreparedarighteousnessfor usinChrist.Wearesavedthrough faithinthisrighteousnessandnotby keepingthelaw.
For next time
1. Inchapter4Paulquotesfroma psalmofDavid.ReadPsalm32. AlsoreadPsalm51andPsalm130. Theseareallpsalmsaskingfor forgiveness.
2. Becomefamiliarwiththelifeof Abraham.ReadGenesis12--23.
Alsonotethefollowingstories:
a. Genesis15:Godconsiders Abrahamrighteous.Especially noteGenesis15:6.
b. Genesis17:GodgivesAbraham thecovenantofcircumcision.
c. Notethepromisesofasonand Abraham'sreactiontothose promises.
Romans3:21–31(EHV)
ARighteousnessApartFromtheLawbyFaith
21Butnow,completelyapartfromthelaw,arighteousnessfromGodhasbeenmade known.TheLawandtheProphetstestifytoit. 22ThisrighteousnessfromGodcomes throughfaithinJesusChristtoallandoverallwhobelieve.
Infact,thereisnodifference, 23becauseallhavesinnedandfallshortofthegloryof God 24andarejustifiedfreelybyhisgracethroughtheredemptionthatisinChristJesus, 25whomGodpubliclydisplayedastheatonementseatthroughfaithinhisblood.Goddid thistodemonstratehisjustice,since,inhisdivinerestraint,hehadleftthesinsthatwere committedearlierunpunished. 26Hedidthistodemonstratehisjusticeatthepresenttime, sothathewouldbebothjustandtheonewhojustifiesthepersonwhohasfaithinJesus.
27Whathappenstoboastingthen? Ithasbeeneliminated.Bywhatprinciple—bythe principleofworks? No,butbytheprincipleoffaith. 28Forweconcludethatapersonis justifiedbyfaithwithouttheworksofthelaw. 29OrisheonlytheGodoftheJews? Ishe notalsotheGodoftheGentiles? Yes,alsooftheGentiles, 30sincethereisoneGodwho willjustifythecircumcisedpersonbyfaithandtheuncircumcisedpersonthroughthe verysamefaith. 31Soarewedoingawaywiththelawbythisfaith? Absolutelynot! Instead,weareupholdingthelaw.
1997NorthwesternPublishingHouse.Reprintedbypermission.