Salvation by Faith Alone

King James Version (Chapter 3)

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

INTRODUCTION

As Baptists, we believe that our salvation is by faith alone, not by our own works or deeds. In this passage, the apostle Paul explains this crucial truth in depth. Through this study, we will see how we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ alone and how this should impact our lives as Christians.

Questions:

Who is the author of this passage?

Answer: The apostle Paul wrote the book of Romans.

What does Paul mean by “righteousness of God” in verse 22?

King James Version (Chapter 3)

Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Answer: Paul is referring to the perfect and holy nature of God, which is imputed or credited to us through our faith in Jesus Christ.

What is the difference between the righteousness of God and the righteousness of man?

Answer: The righteousness of God is perfect and unattainable by humans, while the righteousness of man is flawed and based on human efforts.

Observation: Through our faith in Jesus Christ, we receive the perfect righteousness of God, which we could never achieve on our own.

Interpretation:

The righteousness of God is given to us as a gift through faith in Jesus Christ, not by our own works or efforts. This is a crucial doctrine for us as Baptists.

Application:

As Christians, we should not rely on our own righteousness but rather on the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ. It should humble us and cause us to depend on Him for our salvation.

According to verse 23, who needs salvation?

King James Version (Chapter 3)

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Answer: All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. This means that every single human being needs salvation.

Can anyone earn their salvation by their own works?

Answer: No, because everyone has sinned and falls short of Gods perfect standard.

Observation: This verse emphasizes the universality of sin and the inability of humans to earn salvation by their own efforts.

Interpretation:

All people are in need of salvation because all have sinned. As humans, we cannot earn our way into heaven through good deeds or moral living or any other religion. Our salvation is in Christ alone.

Application:

This should remind us that we are all sinners and in need of Gods grace and forgiveness. It should also humble us and cause us to rely on Jesus Christ for our salvation rather than our own works.

What does it mean to be justified?

Answer: To be justified means to be declared or made righteous in the sight of God.

How are we justified according to verse 24?

King James Version (Chapter 3)

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Answer: We are justified freely by Gods grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Observation:

Our justification is not based on our own works or efforts but on Gods grace and the redemption we have in Jesus Christ.

Interpretation:

Our justification is solely based on the grace of God and what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross.

Application:

This should remind us of the amazing love and grace of God in our salvation. It should also encourage us to share this good news with others who are still seeking to earn their salvation by their own works.

What role does faith play in our justification?

Answer: Faith is what connects us to Jesus Christ and allows us to receive the righteousness of God and be justified.

Observation:

Faith is the means by which we receive the righteousness of God and are justified.

Interpretation:

Faith plays a crucial role in our salvation. It is not just mental assent, but a belief in Jesus Christ that leads to trust and surrender to Him.

Application:

We should examine our own faith and make sure that it is in Jesus Christ alone, not in our own abilities or works. We should also consider how we can share the importance of faith in Christ with others.

According to verse 28, what is the result of our salvation by faith alone?

King James Version (Chapter 3)

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Answer: We are no longer under the burden of trying to earn our salvation. Our justification is based on faith alone, not on works. So stop thinking that your goodness is good enough to go to Heaven.

Observation:

By emphasizing salvation by faith alone, Paul shows that Christians are no longer burdened by the requirements of the law to earn salvation.

Interpretation:

As Baptists, we believe that we are saved by faith alone. This distinguishes our beliefs from other groups that may rely on works or sacraments for their salvation.

Application:

We should be grateful for our salvation by faith alone and share this truth with others, who may struggle with the idea of earning their salvation.

Biblical Truth: Salvation is a gift from God that we receive through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by our own works or efforts.

Action: Reflect on your own salvation journey and ensure that your faith is in Jesus Christ alone. Consider how you can share this truth with others who are seeking salvation by their own works.

And if you are not 100 % sure that if you die today Heaven is your home then you need to believe in Christ today.