Justification by Faith

Justified and Freed: The Gift of Faith

Bible Passage: Romans 3:21–26

21.“But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 23. even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 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.”

1. Righteousness

Romans 3:21-22

Apart from the Law, the righteousness of God has been Manifested (revealed), we cannot reach righteous on our own. The Holy law of God is impossible for us to achieve.

being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets (written and foretold throughout the Old Testament), the foretelling of the Lord Jesus Christ was foretold in the Old Testament.

While Romans was authored by Paul, the following scripture from Acts and Luke (respectively) was written by Luke. A second source of info.

Acts 3:18 ““But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.”

Luke 24:27 “Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.”

Whether by Jesus’ faithfulness or our belief (faith) in Jesus, faith in Jesus (ALONE) equals righteousness. This is the ONLY way we can achieve righteousness.

It is because Jesus is the ONLY person to be able to achieve the perfect Law of God.

2. Redeemed

Romans 3:23-24

ALL have fallen short and therefore deserve death. Therefore, Jesus has paid ALL sins debts, paying a price that we cannot seeing as how He was buried after crucifixion but defeated death and rose on third day.

Paul writing to two different churches says the same thing twice. Couldn’t change it up or it would be questioned.

Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Colossians 3:11 “a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.”

This is fantastic news. Now we ALL can receive God’s grace. but not by any means that we might try. ONLY by faith in Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8–9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

This is very important to know and understand, we cannot be elevated with God. We must understand that only by Jesus dying for our sins do we receive grace.

3. Redemption

Romans 3:25-26

God’s love is so revealed here. He sent Jesus to earth to live a perfect life as a man to teach us how we should live. Having not sinned he was very publicly persecuted on the cross as a sinner.

1 John 2:2 “and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.”

1 John 4:10 “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

Propitiation means appease or appeasement. Jesus appeased God’s wrath on us through His death on the cross.

What more is needed from God to prove His great love for us. He sent His son to die a sinners death so that He could take God’s wrath upon Himself. All we have to do is believe, repent, and have faith and we are in the family of God.

4. Recap

This passage presented the doctrine of justification by faith, emphasizing that believers are declared righteous through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from works of the law and that Justification by faith empowers believers to live in the freedom of God's grace, overcoming guilt and offering a hope that is anchored in Christ's redemptive work.