Untitled Sermon
The major theme is the righteousness of God.
(i) Both Gentiles and Jews are equally guilty in face of God’s righteousness (1:18–3:20). This is in spite of the many privileges of the Jews.
(ii) God has nevertheless dealt with this situation. He has provided a propitiatory sacrifice in Christ (3:21–26). Since the benefits of this are appropriated by faith, the way is open for both Jews and Gentiles (3:27–31). The example of Abraham shows justification to be by faith and not works (4:1–25). Many blessings attend the believer’s justification (5:1–11). As sin is universal through Adam, so life comes through Christ (5:12–21).
(iii) Righteousness must have an application to life. This is achieved through union with Christ, for as the believer has died with him so he now lives in him (6:1–14). This new life involves a new type of service, for the believer, although freed from the law, has become a slave of God (6:15–7:6). Law is no help towards sanctification, since it produces inner conflict (7:7–25). But life in the Spirit brings victory to the believer, for sin is robbed of its power and a new status of sonship replaces the bondage of sin (8:1–17). The believer has great hope for the future, which is shared even by the material creation (8:18–25). The present life is strengthened by the Spirit’s intercession and by the security provided by God’s love (8:26–39).
