Lesson 3 The Grace of God

21But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.

This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one. 31 Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law.

A Self-Made Man’s Version of Amazing Grace Excessive works! How sweaty the sound! That came from the god in me! I once was bad but now am good Thanks to my sincerity. Twas works that earned my place with God And deeds that made him smile How long I toiled and proved my worth And trudged that second mile. When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Being paid our hard earned fun, We’ve no less days to sing our praise And boast of all we’d done.

The Truth about Righteousness It cannot be obtained through obedience to the law. v. 20 It is not a new concept. v. 21 It does not come from somewhere within us. v. 23

The Truth about Righteousness “Humanity and God do not measure righteousness by the same standard. Whereas the Lord demands perfection, we prefer to think in terms of competition.

Righteousness Undeserved “How am I different from a convicted felon?” His record of wrongdoing is a matter of public record; mine is locked away in heaven. He suffered punishment most can scarcely imagine; I will not endure a single moment of retribution for my wrongs. The world will forever count him the least among its citizens; I am unjustly celebrated.

Righteousness Undeserved Salvation is a gift, and this gift demonstrates the goodness of the Giver, not of those who receive it. Judge Donald McDonough in a Fairfax, Virginia

Righteousness Obtained “as a gift” “by His grace” “through the redemption which is in Christ" Though we stand guilty, completely devoid of righteousness before God, we are declared just by means of a transfer of righteousness to our account from that of Jesus Christ.

Redemption Understood All of humankind has been enslaved to sin by virtue of our moral debt. The Law of God demands payment in order for us to be considered “righteous” or “just,” but we are hopelessly unable to pay enough out of our own goodness.

Propitiation Explained “Propitiation” in the NASB The Greek term is hilastērion, for which we have no direct English translation. The Hebrew related word in the Old Testament is kippur, as in the holiday, Yom Kippur. Lev. 16:7-10

Romans 3:21-25 The standard of righteousness has never been anything less than moral perfection, which no mere mortal can ever achieve. Therefore, our only hope is to be declared righteous by the gracious gift of God. We receive this gift through faith in Jesus Christ, who took our punishment on our behalf, thus satisfying the heavenly court’s requirement that justice be served.

Three Questions Where then is boasting?” (3: 27) “Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also?” (3: 29) “Do we then nullify the Law through faith?” (3: 31)

The Valley of Vision