Series: The Cure [#6]
GOD’S CURE FOR SIN
Romans 3:21-31
Introduction:
I’m so glad that we have made it to this point in our series. We have had 5 weeks of being reminded of how terrible and sinful we are. Now, we will look at the cure for sin. This is what our entire Christian life is about.
Romans 3:21 (NIV)
“But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.”
The cure…
1. Was designed by God.
Salvation is God’s plan. Before this world was ever created, God knew that we would sin. God planned that Jesus would come to this Earth in the form of man and that He would die and have victory over death, sin, Hell, and Satan when He was resurrected from the dead.
Romans 3:21 (NIV)
“But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.”
The cure…
2. Is not earned.
You can’t work to gain salvation. No matter how hard you try, you cannot earn salvation. It does not matter how good you are. The Law proves that each of us are sinners and therefore we don’t deserve salvation.
Romans 3:21 (NIV)
“But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.”
The cure…
3. Is known.
Through the Scriptures, God has shown us the way to salvation. Salvation is not a secret. That means that each Christian has the cure to sin. You have the cure to sin, are you going to share it with others?
Romans 3:22-23 (NIV)
“This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
The cure…
4. Comes through faith in Jesus Christ.
There is no other option. Salvation comes through faith in Jesus. I was discussing faith with someone and they made an interesting statement, “Everyone has faith”. I was surprised by this comment and he pointed to someone sitting in a chair and said, “That person had faith that when they sat in the chair it would hold them”. What a true statement.
Faith in Christ requires you to believe something that you didn’t see, hear, touch, etc… You weren’t there when Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected from the dead; but salvation is based on you believing that is true.
Romans 3:24 (NIV)
“And are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
The cure…
5. Brings justification.
This word is very important because when we are saved this is what happens- We are justified. Through the blood of Jesus Christ, when God the Father looks upon a Christian, He sees you just as if you had never sinned.
Romans 3:25-28 (NIV)
“God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-- he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.”
The cure…
6. Cost God’s Son’s life.
God freely gave His son’s life for us. He did this so that we wouldn’t have to pay the eternal price for our sins. When you begin to think that you are better than others because you are a Christian, I want you to remember that your salvation is only possible through Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:29-30 (NIV)
“Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.”
The cure…
7. Is for all who put their faith in Jesus Christ.
God wants everyone to be saved. When Jesus gave His life for us, He gave it for the entire world; past, present, and future. As it says later on in this letter, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”.
Romans 3:31 (NIV)
“Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.”
The cure…
8. Should result in obedience to God.
Just because you’re saved doesn’t mean you can just act like a fool. Your salvation should result in a desire to be obedient to Christ in all things.
Conclusion:
This morning, I want to say it again, “We have the cure for sin”. This cure will save the lives of many if we will share it with them. The cure is Jesus.
