GOD MANIFESTS HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS IN PAYING THE PRICE TO JUSTIFY SINNERS BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH--THE GUTS OF THE GOSPEL
1. (:21-26) How Can Corrupt Sinners Ever Have What It Takes?
God's Plan of Salvation--the Gift of His Righteousness
a. God Has Revealed His Plan of Salvation to Us (:21)
the manifestation of the righteousness of God
1) Revealed in the Gospel and in the person of Christ
2) Revealed Now
3) Revealed independently of the principle of law (earning by obeying)
4) Revealed in harmony with the testimony of the OT law and Prophets
b. God Will Give His Righteousness to Anyone Who Believes in Jesus Christ (:22)
the appropriation of the righteousness of God
1) This righteousness comes from God (we can't try to mix in our works)
2) Faith in Jesus Christ is the only requirement the same plan of salvation applies to all (Jew, Gentile, moralist, most corrupt)
c. This Righteousness is something that All of us Need (:23)
d. This Righteousness is freely given -- Justification (:24)
e. This Righteousness was very costly for Jesus Christ -- Redemption (:24)
f. This Righteousness Satisfied God's Anger -- Propitiation (:25)
g. The Free Gift of This Righteousness Shows Us That God is Just (:25-26)
2. (:27-31) God's Plan of Salvation Leaves No Room for a Spirit of Pride
(a refutation of 3 prideful responses)
a. (:27-28) Faith leaves no room for boasting in our own accomplishments
b. (:29-30) The Oneness of God means a universal, common plan of salvation that leaves no room for a spirit of exclusivity
c. (:31) The value of the law leaves no room for a spirit of independent lawlessness--instead, justification by faith should motivate holy living
