Roadmap to Redemption: Need for Redemption

Romans 3:21–28 NIV84

21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 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— 26 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. 27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

In 1 Cor 15:3–4 Paul sums up the gospel as these three truths: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised up again on the third day. The reality of the historical facts of the Savior’s death and resurrection is stressed over and over in the book of Acts. Romans, however, is an exposition of the meaning of these facts.

Acts explains what salvation consists of and how we may receive it. Romans does the same, but carries the explanation to another level

I see Romans as theological treatise of Redemption and living the Christian Faith.

Righteousness: the quality, state, or practice of judicial responsibility with focus on fairness, justice, equitableness

Justify: Render a favorable verdict, vindicate

Grace: Unmerited favor (favor was given to you, nothing you did could have earned this favor)

Redemption: Release from a captive condition, deliverance, buy back

1. The source of Righteousness

Sub Point 1.1: The law cannot bring about righteousness.

Romans 3:20 “20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.”

The purpose of the law is to reveal sin, not to save

Sub Point 1.2: Righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ

Romans 3:21 “21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.”

The righteousness of God is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe

Sub Point 1.3: Our righteousness is not based on our own efforts, but on our faith in Christ

We are made righteous by God's grace, not by our good works

Ephesians 2:8–9 “8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”

The importance of constantly reminding ourselves that our righteousness comes from God, not from our own self-righteousness

Isaiah 64:6 (NLT) “We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.”

2. Reality of sin is that we have all sinned

Sub Point 2.1: All have sinned and fall short of God's glory

None of us are exempt from the effects of sin

Romans 3:23 “23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

The consequences of sin is death

Romans 6:23 “23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Sub Point 2.2: We are justified freely by God's grace

Our justification is a gift given to us by God's grace, not by our own merit

Romans 3:24 “24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

Jesus paid the price for our sin through his death on the cross

1 Peter 2:24 “24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”

Sub Point 2.3: Our righteousness comes at a great cost, but it is a gift freely given by God

We should never take our salvation for granted or try to earn it through our own efforts

1 Corinthians 6:20 “20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”

Titus 3:5 “5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,”

Our response to this gift of righteousness should be a life of grateful obedience to God

Romans 12:1 “1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.”

Ephesians 2:10 “10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

3. We have been redeemed through Christ

Sub Point 3.1: Jesus' blood shed on the cross was the sacrifice for our sins

Romans 3:25 “25 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—”

God had to deal with sin

Romans 3:26 “26 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.”

(Share story of dealing with bad behavior—having to discipline children—but having patience in doing so, and being consistent in doing so)

Sub Point 3.2: Our faith in Christ brings about our justification

1 Peter 2:24 “24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”

Our justification is not based on our works, but on our faith in Jesus

Romans 3:27–28 “27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.”

The law cannot boast in our righteousness, only our faith in Christ can

The solution to crime is not more laws—It is Jesus

Galatians 3:10–14 “10 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.”

Sub Point 3.3: Our righteousness in Christ should change our perspective and actions

We should take comfort in knowing that our righteousness is secure in Christ

Philippians 3:9 “9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.”

Our faith must be accompanied by a transformed life, producing good works

James 2:14–17 “14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

4. The Response to Redemption

Sub Point 4.1: Repentance and turning away from sin

Acts 3:19 “19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,”

Sub Point 4.2: Faith and trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior

Romans 10:9–10 “9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”

Sub Point 4.3: Living a transformed life in Christ

2 Corinthians 5:17 “17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”