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This is a sermon based on Romans 3:21-31 and it is part of a series of messages on the book of Romans. This message introduces the theme of justification which will be the focus for this message as well as the next three messages.
Written Excerpts:
Introduction:
We are continuing our study in the letter of Paul to the Roman
believers. We are ready to finish chapter three today as we begin to discuss
the topic of justification.
Before we get into today’s message, allow me to just briefly summarize
the points we have already covered for the benefit of some who may have not
been here or for those of us who easily forget and need a reminder. We established way back in verse 17 of chapter one that the theme of
Paul’s letter is: “The Gospel of Righteousness.”
The term “gospel” appears in v. 16 and the term “righteousness” appears
in v. 17. (Good news; right character)
The very first aspect of God’s righteousness we learned in chapters 1-3
is His divine judgment.
II. God's righteousness is
revealed through divine judgment. (1:18-3:20)
The justice of God which
includes His wrath, anger and judgment is very much an integral part of His
nature. It is established in His holiness and includes the fact that He is so
infinitely pure that He cannot tolerate (condone) the least deviation from
absolute moral perfection.
As he tries to establish in the
minds of his readers the fact that they need the gospel, Paul systematically
points out how that all human beings (including Gentiles and Jews) are under
the judgment of God because of their disobedience and sins.
A. Gentiles are under the judgment of God.
(1:18-32)
B. Jews are under the judgment of God.
(2:1-3:8)
C. The whole world is under the judgment of
God. (3:9-20)
Everyone, both Jew and Gentile,
is rightfully under the curse of death because of sin.
But, thank God, there is a
remedy. The next segment of Paul’s letter develops the remedy provided by God.
He plunges into a thorough discussion of justification as it relates to the
righteousness of God.
The phrase but now (v. 21) marks a decisive shift in Paul's
argument. (HCSB Study Bible Nashville ,
TN
Paul is turning away from the
discussion of our guilt in order to focus on how we are freed from guilt.
III. God's righteousness is revealed through
justification. (3:21-5:21)
Beginning with verse 21 of
chapter three and continuing through the end of chapter five, Paul will show
how the concept of justification demonstrates the righteousness of God in
action.
A. The concept of justification is explained.
(3:21-31)
In verses 21-31 Paul explains
what justification really is and what
it involves.
i. It is supported in OT Scriptures. (3:21)
The phrase “law and the
prophets” is an expression that basically refers to the Old Testament
Scriptures, and Paul is essentially saying that when we properly understand
what the OT teaches, we will understand that it teaches about the salvation God
has provided through Jesus Christ.
A couple of years ago I did a
study on redemption in our Wednesday night Bible studies. In it I explained how
the OT is basically a foreshadowing of redemption through the system of
sacrifices that were symbolic of Christ and through the prophecies that pointed
to Christ.
Cf: Isaiah 44:22 (NKJV) 22
I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, And
like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you."
For the readers who had Jewish
roots, Paul wanted to especially point out to them that this idea of canceling
our guilt on account of Christ’s death is clearly linked to what God revealed
in the OT.
i. It is received through faith in Christ.
(3:22-23)
In verses 22-23 the writer
explains that this justification that is provided by God through Christ is
received through faith. God makes no distinction between
Jews and Gentiles who believe in Christ, specifically because there is no
difference between them in the fact of guilt – “all have sinned…”
Believing (or faith) is the key
concept here, and its object is Jesus Christ. It is not faith in our own
efforts; faith in a religion, or even “faith in faith” [as Josh McDowell has
put it]. (That is, ‘it really doesn’t
matter what you believe, as long as you sincerely believe something.’) No, it
must be faith in Jesus Christ.
ii. It is an acquittal based on Christ’s
sacrifice (3:24-26)
As we look at verses 24-26, I
think it is necessary for us to clearly define what the word “justify” or
“justification” really means. The word (in one form or another) appears in v.
20, v. 24, v. 26, & v. 30. It is a legal term that simply
means that our legal record of guilt has been completely erased and God
considers us to be “innocent of all charges.” In a sense, it means to be
“acquitted.” Probably the most well-known
modern word that is a close equivalent is the word, “expunge.”
In the 16th century,
a preacher by the name of Thomas Cranmer said that three things had to come together
in our justification: God’s great mercy and grace [v. 24], Christ’s
satisfaction of God’s justice [v. 25], and our true and lively faith [v. 26]. (Reasoner)
Justification is motivated by
God’s grace (v. 24), resulting in redemption (bought back from bondage of sin)
(also v. 24), because of the propitiation of Christ’s sacrifice (v. 25).
"Redemption" is a term
borrowed from the slave market. All people are slaves to sin by their fallen
nature, but Christians are purchased by God and freed to new life in Christ. (HCSB Study
Bible)
“Propitiation” – (Reasoner) To propitiate… means to turn
away the wrath of God. John Owen identified four essential elements in the
concept of propitiation: • An offense to be taken away • A person offended who
needs to be pacified • An offending person; a person guilty of the offense • A
sacrifice or some other means of making atonement for the offense.
"Propitiation" is a term
borrowed from temple rites, where the sacrificial animal figuratively comes
under God's wrath as it is killed. Jesus received God's wrath on the cross. By
our faith in Christ, God's wrath is counted satisfied and we are no longer
under wrath. (HCSB Study Bible)
Paul is explaining that through
His sacrificial death on the cross, through the giving of His life and shedding
of His blood, Jesus Christ has turned away the anger and wrath of God that was
directed toward us who were guilty of violating His holy law and following our
own rebellious, selfish desires.
It all proves that God can and
does remain “just” (consistent with His nature of holiness) and yet He becomes
the “justifier” of all who believe in the work of Christ. (v. 26) To pronounce the unrighteous
righteous is unjust by itself. God's mercy would not allow him to leave man to
his fate. God's justice demanded some punishment for sin.
(A T Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament)
iii. It is provided apart from the law (3:27-31)
(Reasoner) Back in verse 20 Paul says no one will be declared righteous
by the works of the law, [therefore] this justification is apart from the law.
This means we cannot boast that we are justified by keeping the law because our
justification is by faith in the work of Christ. [Verified by these phrases: “all
who believe” (v.22), it is “by grace” (v. 24), and “through faith” (v.25)]
We have nothing to brag or boast
about, because we have not been exonerated due to anything we have done. Our
release from guilt was entirely based upon what Jesus has done!
(Reasoner) While we are not saved by keeping the law, neither are we
lawless. We are saved by “a law of faith,” (v. 27).
Rather than trusting in the law
to save us, we follow another law [rule, principle] and that is the rule of
faith; the principle of trusting what God has provided through Christ.
(v. 31) “by faith/through faith”
– lit. out of faith / by means of faith.
Conclusion:
How in the world is God able to uphold His holiness and justice while
at the same time show pity and mercy on poor souls who have violated His will? There is only one way. It is by allowing the totally sinless and pure
Son of God to freely give up His life and assume the horrible punishment that
those souls deserved. When that substitutionary sacrifice was completed, then God has the
perfect plan that allows Him to maintain His righteous character and yet freely
pardon the guilty.
Imagine yourself in the court of law standing trial for a capital
crime. The testimony and evidence before the court has all confirmed what the
judge and jury has concluded: Guilty as charged! The penalty for your crime is death by lethal injection.
On your way to the execution chamber, the judge interrupts the
procession and gives notification that you have been pardoned and your criminal
record has been erased, because another innocent man (the son of the judge) has
willingly consented to die in your place. Now, you can go free.
This is exactly what God has done for us on account of what Christ did
on our behalf.
I harbored hatred in my heart, so I was guilty of murder.
I entertained lust in my heart, so I was guilty of adultery.
I nurtured covetousness in my heart, so I was guilty of theft.
I worship at the altar of my own passions and desires, so I was guilty
of idolatry.
Every kind of sin was lurking within my soul and I stood guilty and
condemned before an absolutely holy God. I not only knew I was guilty, but I knew I had no power to help myself.
I couldn’t do anything to change myself.
Then I learned and began to understand that Jesus took all my guilt on
Himself and took my punishment that I deserved. I learned that His grace and His Spirit could give me new life and
transform my wicked heart and my behavior. All I had to do was admit my guilt,
and let Him forgive me, and let Him live inside me.
I humbly and honestly confessed
my sinful, guilty state and threw myself on the mercy of the Judge. He forgave
me, just as He promised on the basis of His Son’s sacrifice for me. He wiped away my record of
offenses and He accepts me as totally innocent. Hallelujah!
Our closing song that I have
selected for today truly describes what God has done…
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