Justification By Grace Through Faith.

JUSTIFICATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH.

Romans 3:22-28.

Paul contrasts the righteousness of God with the unrighteousness and self-righteousness of man (cf. Romans 3:21).

ROMANS 3:22. Righteousness is not something which we can accomplish, but rather comes as a free gift from God through faith in Jesus Christ. All that is required of us is that we believe the gospel, putting our trust in Jesus as the only Saviour of sinners.

ROMANS 3:23. The gospel is offered to all because all have sinned.

ROMANS 3:24. Faith in Christ gives us the assurance of certain blessings.

a. We are justified (proclaimed righteous in the courtroom of God) as a free gift of God’s grace, His undeserved love towards us.

b. We are redeemed (bought back from condemnation) at the high ransom price of Christ’s own blood.

ROMANS 3:25. Because of God’s holy anger against sin and evil, propitiation (a substitutionary sacrifice) was required. In the gospel, the righteousness of God has been made known through the death of Christ.

Due to the nature of our offence, we cannot possibly appease God. But the mystery and miracle of the gospel is that: ‘While we were still sinners, Christ died for us’ (cf. Romans 5:8). Past sins are passed over, and we are set on a right standing before God.

God will no longer hold our sins against us, but rather accepts us as righteous. When God looks upon us, He does not see the sinner, but the righteousness of Christ with which we have been clothed (cf. Isaiah 61:10).

This does not take away from the seriousness of sin. Sin still has to be punished. But when we put our trust in Jesus, we are relying upon the finished work of His sacrifice on our behalf.

ROMANS 3:26. In the Cross of Jesus, God demonstrates His justice. He is just in condemning sin, He is justified in accepting the sacrifice of His Son, and He is just in forgiving sinners.

So what is required of us in order to be justified, to be put right with God? We must put our trust in Jesus, and receive with open hand the free gift of His love and forgiveness.

ROMANS 3:27. "Where is boasting then?" asks Paul.

Men are always seeking something of which they might boast.

They might boast of nationality, religion, privilege or accomplishments.

Some might boast in their relationship with God (cf. Romans 2:17). Others might boast in their keeping of the law (cf. Romans 2:23).

Boasting in ourselves is excluded, says Paul, “by the law of faith.”

ROMANS 3:28. “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the works of the law.”

The ‘rich young ruler’ asked Jesus, 'What good thing shall I DO, that I may have eternal life?’ (cf. Matthew 19:16).

The Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas, ‘What must I DO to be saved?’ (cf. Acts 16:30).

This is the illusion of every age. We think that we must earn our own way into heaven! Then we imagine that we have something whereof we might boast!

But salvation does not come by works: ‘it is the free gift of God through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (cf. Romans 6:23).

Let our only boast be in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Galatians 6:14; 1 Corinthians 1:31)!