The Scandalous Mercy of God (pt. 2)
Notes
Transcript
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Main Point: God Reveal His Righteousness Through Grace
Main Point: God Reveal His Righteousness Through Grace
Recap of Last Week:
The volume of grace and mercy that God extends to us, in any other context, would be considered scandalous!
He repeatedly forgives us for the same offenses—and these offenses are extreme!
He repeatedly forgives us in spite of our hostile and hard hearts towards Him—even the best of us resist Him!
He repeatedly forgives us in spite of our lack of commitment, gratitude, and reverence—we fail to appreciate what He has done and will do for us!
Our erroneous views of God negatively impact our worship of God.
We often think God is not fair to us
We often think God is not compassionate
We often think God is not powerful or capable
We often think God is uninvolved or distant
Our erroneous views of self negatively impact our worship of God.
We think we are good
We think we are insightful and knowledgeable
We think we are strong and able to overcome
We think we are inherently better/more deserving than others
Our erroneous views of Christianity negatively impact our worship of God.
We think a deeper knowledge of self is the point
We think self-improvement is the point
We think a better community is the point
We think alleviating pain and poverty is the point
We think proper doctrine is the point
The Point of Christianity:
To see the God who has revealed Himself to humanity
To embrace the work God has accomplished on behalf of humanity
To walk with, love, and enjoy God
To encourage others to know the greatness of God and His love
With this in mind, let’s look at how Paul marvels over the self-revelation of God and how God demonstrates His righteousness.
Four Aspects of God’s Righteousness:
The Righteousness of God is Manifested Uniquely
The Righteousness of God is Realized through Faith
The Righteousness of God is Present Throughout History
The Righteousness of God is Expressed through His Work
The Righteousness of God is Manifested Uniquely
The Righteousness of God is Manifested Uniquely
“But now...” (de nyni)
This phrase acts as a line of demarcation in Paul’s thinking.
In the first three chapters of Romans Paul essentially argues three things:
The Jews ability to follow the Law is not the means of salvation; however,
Paul has just argued that both Jews and Gentiles are evil to their core; that is, Paul
The Gentiles blatant rejection of does not place them in a better situation
Paul’s point of contention is this:
Legalism is useless: We are not good because of what we do
Ignorance is not Bliss: We are not good because of what we do not know
Rebellion Deserves Judgment: Those who suppress the truth of God deserve the wrath of God.
Consequently, Paul’s argument against self-righteousness, ignorance, and outright rebellion establishes his conclusions:
WE ARE ALL WRETCHED AND EVIL PEOPLE.
WE ARE IN DIRE NEED OF RESCUE FROM OURSELVES AND FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR REBELLION!
Such conclusions—or thoughts—lead us to wonder who can rescue us and how can we be rescued?
Interestingly, in establishing our sinfulness, Paul invalidates several options for acquittal:
Work to pay the debt: We cannot work to pay off our debt.
Work to make amends: We cannot earn the favor and friendship of the one we’ve offended.
Play the ignorance card: We cannot ignore our infractions and hope our sins are not remembered.
Actively defend ourselves: We cannot go to war against God and win.
Once our ability to acquit ourselves is removed, we experience massive fear and anxiety.
Knowledge of our sin does not comfort us, it makes us uneasy!
Knowledge of our sin without a means to erase it absolutely terrifies us!
Knowledge of God’s hatred of sin, in full-view of our sin, causes us to run from God out of fear.
TRUTHFULLY, WE DO NOT WANT GOD BECAUSE WE FEAR THE CONSEQUENCES WE DESERVE!
The” But now” marks Paul’s answer to our anxiety and fear about the impending wrath of God.
The” But now” marks Paul’s answer to our anxiety about the impending wrath of God. Stated differently, within the scope of redemptive history, Paul is about to announce advancement within the progressive self-revelation of God.
The” But now” marks Paul’s answer to our anxiety and fear about the impending wrath of God.
Stated differently, within the scope of redemptive history, Paul announces an advancement within the progressive self-revelation of God. (How?)
The Process of Salvation
Prior to the incarnation and work of Jesus Christ, the people of God focused—almost exclusively—upon their actions…their righteousness.
Our Understanding and View of God.
The “But now” signifies a further revelation in the salvific process. How so?
The Law was how they secured the blessings of God
The Law was how they were better than the surrounding pagans
Salvation was a thing that happened in the past—not something they needed now.
God made a covenant with Abraham—this is seen in circumcision
God made a covenant with Moses—this is seen in the Law
God made a covenant with David—this will be seen in their great king that would rule all nation.
The Jews saw themselves as the nation and people of God, all they need was the king from God to take his place and rule the nations!
You see, the Jews saw Salvation as physical and not spiritual—they did not need to be right with God, they thought they were already.
They viewed it as deliverance from Egypt
They viewed it as deliverance from enemies in battle
They viewed it as deliverance from enemy occupation
They viewed it as deliverance from poverty
However, they did not believe they were EVER outside of harmony with God.
Our Understanding and View of God.
Prior to the incarnation and work of Jesus Christ, the people of God focused—almost exclusively—upon their actions…their righteousness.
The Jews did not have a complete understanding of YHWH.
They knew that God was ONE, but they did not understand His complexity (triune nature)
They knew their God was Holy, but they did not understand His utter-righteousness and intolerance of sin.
They knew their God was present among them, but they did not understand that God wanted to dwell within them.
They knew their God to be merciful to Israel, but they did not understand God’s desire to show mercy to all of His creation.
They knew God cared for their physical needs, but they had no idea that God’s primary concern was their spiritual depravity!
Historically, God has revealed Himself progressively, so it should not have shocked them that He took it another step in Jesus Christ.
He revealed HIs desire to interact with humanity (Adam)
He revealed His intolerance of sin (Adam)
He revealed His intolerance of sin (Adam)
He revealed His mercy and compassion (Cain)
He revealed His protection and grace (Noah)
Righteousness:
He revealed HIs provision and care (Abraham)
He revealed His faithfulness to His word (Jacob)
He revealed His name (Moses)
He revealed His ability to Rescue and Redeem (Israel)
He revealed His holiness and inability to approach (the Law)
He revealed His Kingship (David)
He revealed His Fatherly and Disciplinary Love (The Exile)
He revealed His Salvific Love (The Cross)
He revealed His abiding Presence (The Holy Spirit)
HE WILL REVEAL HIS ETERNAL POWER (The Second Coming) Righteousness:
This is what Paul means when He uses the word “Manifested “(GK phaneroo):
Manifest (GK phaneroo) =
Means to make clear,
to reveal,
The Righteousness of God is Realized through Faith
The Righteousness of God is Realized through Faith
to disclose,
to expose,
to make known.
Therefore: to be made manifest is to become clearly visible to others
What is it that is manifested? THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD!
The Righteousness of God is Present Throughout History
The Righteousness of God is Present Throughout History
The Righteousness of God is Expressed through His Work
The Righteousness of God is Expressed through His Work