BSFL 4-29-20 "Salvation"
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Session 3 - Salvation
<<From Advanced Bible Study>>
Whether it’s answering test questions, measuring for a room addition, balancing the checkbook, or winning an argument, something inside all of us wants to be right. Sometimes we fight to prove we’re right, other times we try to persuade others to see things our way, and occasionally we pay experts to ensure we’re correct.
The desire to be right is not only a common dynamic in human relationships; it’s also needed in our relationship with God. Being right with God is infinitely more important than being right about anything else.
For centuries people from all different backgrounds, nationalities, and religious preferences have sought through various means to be right with God. This may include acts as diverse as sacrificing animals, self-denial, praying toward Mecca, or attending Sunday School. People do all these religious activities for the purpose of trying to be right with God. Since we want and need to be right with God, we all need to answer the question:
What does it take for a person to be right with God?
GUIDE: Direct attention to The Point on page 26. Invite group members to fill in the blanks.
THE POINT: Jesus made it possible for us to be righteous before God.
Study the Bible
GIVE BIBLICAL CONTEXT:
Having built a strong case that all people are under sin and accountable before God (Romans 1:18–3:20), Paul turned his attention to the remedy of their universal disease of sin and judgment.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.
FIRST SECTION:
20 For no one will be justified in his sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law. 21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, attested by the Law and the Prophets. 22 The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction.
GUIDE: Direct your group’s attention to the following heading on
Page 26: We’re declared righteous by Christ, the One who is righteous.
20 For no one will be justified in his sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.
We are declared righteous by Christ, the One who is righteous.
Verse 20 concludes the introductory section of the letter recorded in 1:18–3:20.
Paul presented the case that both Gentile and Jew are sinful and deserving of God’s holy wrath.
In 3:10-18, Paul quoted from numerous Old Testament passages to reinforce his claim that all people are under sin’s power.
For no one will be justified
In verse 20 he presented the stark reality that no one will be justified (“declared righteous in God’s sight,” NIV) by the works of the law (“observing the law,” NIV).
Paul used this phrase in his letters seven other times (3:28, Gal. 2:16 [3x], 3:2,5,10),
hammering home the truth that keeping the law will never suffice to make a person acceptable to God, for no one can keep all the law or keep the law perfectly enough to satisfy the righteousness God requires.
The law refers to the whole Old Testament, including the Mosaic law.
The law’s purpose is not to justify but to make a person conscious of their sin; the law gives us the knowledge of sin.
The point is clear: No one, Jew or Gentile, can obtain salvation by works. All people stand guilty before a holy God because they have violated the law. Everyone falls under sin’s condemnation.
21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, attested by the Law and the Prophets. 22 The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction.
After showing the universal sinfulness of humanity and the need for salvation, Paul spelled out the only way for people to come into a right standing with God.
While no one can obtain salvation by striving to keep the law, the hope of salvation yet remains.
But Now
The words, BUT NOW, reveal a contrast to any self-salvation projects.
Now is a critical word in Paul’s letter to the Romans. It marks a turning point between righteousness based on keeping the law and righteousness based on faith.
In other words, it contrasts salvation earned by works or received by faith.
Furthermore, Paul used the word now to emphasize the historical aspect of salvation.
Apart from the Law
For centuries, people had been under the law, but now with the coming of Jesus and His death on the cross, a new way to salvation had emerged. People once under condemnation now have the possibility of redemption, spiritual life, and eternity with God.
The righteousness of God
Salvation’s basis is THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD
God’s righteousness was introduced at the outset of Paul’s letter to the Romans (1:17) and stands in contrast to God’s wrath as presented in 1:18-3:20.
While God’s righteousness is most often thought of as a character trait, it is also a description of how God acts in the world.
With regard to salvation, righteousness is obtained through God’s act of justifying sinners and making them right in His eyes. Paul made it clear that God’s righteousness was apart from the law.
He restated what he wrote in the previous verse that salvation cannot come by WORKS OF THE LAW (v. 20).
Christ launched a new age in which God’s people can and will be saved apart from the law.
It’s not because the law no longer applies, but because another way has been provided.
Has been revealed
This new way of receiving God’s righteousness has been revealed or “made known” to humankind, in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus.
Attested by the Law and Prophets
Paul added that this change was attested or “witnessed” by the Law and the Prophets, a common way Jews referred to the Old Testament.
The Old Testament prepared the way for the new era of Jesus’ incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension to save humanity from sin.
31 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord.
33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, attested by the Law and the Prophets. 22 The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction.
The righteousness of God is through faith
Salvation has been made possible for all of humanity, but each person must accept God’s gift through faith.
Paul wrote in verse 22, The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ.
Faith means (1) knowledge of the truth, an (2) assent to truth, and a (3) trust in truth.
If one of these three components are missing faith does not exist.
In other words, faith is not merely intellectual awareness or acceptance.
Faith has to include trusting or relying on someone or something else. In this case, faith is depending on what Jesus has done on our behalf for our salvation. Righteousness is only obtained through faith.
Clearly, faith does not save us. It is through faith we are saved. The object of our faith—Jesus Christ—is the One who saves.
Through faith, we accept God’s gift of salvation.
To all who believe
The recipients of salvation are those who have faith in Jesus, or to all who believe.
The ones saved are all believers in Jesus Christ’s atoning work since there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile.
All people have sinned, and all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, or religious preference, have the privilege to believe in Jesus, resulting in salvation.
Salvation has been made available to all humanity, but only those who take the step of faith, believing in Jesus, are saved.
What are some lasting truths in Romans 3:20-22?
The law reveals our need for Jesus.
God’s righteousness is both a divine character trait and a vindicating activity.
Salvation is available to all people, but only those who believe in Jesus’ atoning work on the cross are saved.
PAGE 26
Thinking we can “do the right things” to earn God’s approval is a trap. This is a dangerous viewpoint because we’re not holding ourselves up to the right standard. The right standard is God’s perfect law: to be righteous one must be without sin. In theory, keeping the law would bring us into a right relationship with God, but the reality is none of us can keep the law. The law requires absolute perfection.
When we compare our efforts with the demands of a perfect law, we all fall short. The law reveals our sinfulness and points us to Christ who perfectly fulfilled the law. It’s through faith in Christ alone we’re declared righteous. “The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction” (v. 22).
DISCUSS: How would you define the term “righteous”? [ALTERNATE: When did you first hear about the concepts of sin and salvation?]
READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Romans 3:23-24 on page 26.
23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 24 They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
GUIDE: Direct your group’s attention to the following heading on
Page 26: We’re redeemed by Christ.
23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 24 They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
No one can stand before a holy and righteous God based on personal merit.
Paul indicated that all people have come up short on two fronts.
1. They have sinned. The word means “missing the mark” and indicates that humanity has failed to live up to God’s perfect standard.
2. They fall short of the glory of God. We are meant to reflect back God’s glory.
Tragically, this was lost when Adam and Eve brought sin into the world and distorted our relationship with God. Because of sin, we lack the glory God intended for us.
Seen in this light, sin not only makes a person unrighteous; it also robs us of God’s glory.
When we grasp the pervasive nature of sin’s destructive power and condemning effect, we realize the futility of any personal efforts to obtain God’s righteousness apart from grace.
We can never be good enough to stand in God’s presence based on our own righteousness.
Justified
“All who believe” (v. 22) are justified freely by his grace.
Justified is a metaphor coming from the law court, meaning “to declare righteous.”
We have been acquitted from the guilt and penalty of sin.
Justification is God’s act by which repentant sinners are made right with God.
Justification is a declaration by God concerning our status with Him. Justification is not a result of what we do, but rather it is something done to us.
We are made righteous not because we stop sinning, for we don’t.
We are made righteous because God pronounced us as righteous.
Based on Jesus’ atoning work, God has legally declared the repentant sinner in right standing before Him.
This verdict is immediate, meaning that we don’t have to wait for it or realize it at the last judgment.
freely by his grace
Moreover, God has freely offered this verdict of justification. God’s righteousness comes without any payment on our behalf.
We are prone to think that we must work to earn God’s favor.
From a human perspective, this sounds reasonable and noble. But Paul made it unmistakably clear that God’s righteousness and His impending salvation can only be received as a free gift.
We have done nothing nor can we do anything to deserve this gift. The source of salvation’s gift is his grace—God’s grace, for it is God who declares us to be justified.
Grace is one of Paul’s favorite words, describing God’s undeserved favor bestowed on every believer in salvation.
While sinners have done nothing to merit such a gift, God through His gracious character has justified those who come to Him by faith.
Again, God’s gracious character is emphasized. Salvation is not merely a free gift, but a free gift to those who deserve the exact opposite—judgment and punishment. God’s grace costs us nothing, but it cost Jesus His life.
6 Now if by grace, then it is not by works; otherwise grace ceases to be grace.
23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 24 They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Redemption that is in Christ Jesus
Salvation’s price came through (“by means of” or “in connection with”) the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
The word redemption originated from the slave market.
It means “liberation through the payment of a price.”
It was used in the ancient world to refer to the process by which someone was set free, no longer in bondage, by payment of a ransom.
Paul employed this same word to describe Jesus’ death as a price paid for the release of human beings from their slavery to sin.
Jesus came to ransom us, to deliver us. Jesus sacrifice was the physical act of redemption, and it is in Christ Jesus that redemption from the dominion of sin occurs.
In Christ
In Christ is another repeated expression of Paul’s.
The concept refers both to the believer’s union in Christ and to their membership in His body.
Here, the phrase means that God has brought about our redemption because of what Christ has done for us (redemption) and our response to Christ’s ransom (faith).
What are some lasting truths in Romans 3:23-24?
Due to humanity’s sin, a Savior is required.
Humanity does not deserve grace, but God extends it as a free gift to all who will receive it through faith.
Jesus redeemed fallen humanity by paying the ransom for our sins.
RECAP (PAGE 27): We’re justified when we’re declared righteous before God. While Christ’s work of justification is free, it’s not cheap. God wouldn’t declare anyone righteous without dealing with that person’s sin. Insert Jesus! Christ willingly gave His life to bring us back to Himself. His act allows us to be in a deep, saving relationship with the God of the universe.
Why would God do this? We were hopelessly lost and utterly incapable of fixing our problems. But while we were still messy and broken, God gave us the incredible gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. It’s Christ who allows us to experience redemption. It’s Christ who has given us the opportunity to be brought into a right relationship with God.
DISCUSS: Where have you seen the truth of verses 23-24 in your life? [ALTERNATE: What does it mean to fall short of God’s glory?]
DO: Divide group members into subgroups of three or four people each. Invite subgroups to complete the activity, The Goodness of God, on page 27, together. If time allows, invite volunteers to share their responses.
The Goodness of God: How would you describe God’s grace to someone who isn’t a Christian? Complete the acrostic below with words or phrases. An example has been given.
G
R
A gift we can’t earn
C
E
READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Romans 3:25-28 on page 27.
25 God presented him as an atoning sacrifice in his blood, received through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his restraint God passed over the sins previously committed. 26 God presented him to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so that he would be righteous and declare righteous the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By one of works? No, on the contrary, by a law of faith. 28 For we conclude that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
GUIDE: Direct your group’s attention to the following heading on
Page 27: We’re justified by faith in Christ.
25 God presented him as an atoning sacrifice in his blood, received through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his restraint God passed over the sins previously committed.
God presented him as an atoning sacrifice
Redemption, the price paid for humankind’s sin, was made possible through Jesus’ atoning sacrifice.
This term was used widely in the Greek world to refer to altars or monuments that would have the power to “propitiate,” “appease,” or “pacify” the wrath of the gods.
Therefore, sometimes this word is translated “propitiation.”
In the Greek translation of the Old Testament, it referred to the cover over the ark of the covenant—the “mercy seat” (see Ex. 25:17–22).
The mercy seat was the place on the altar where blood was sprinkled by the high priest for the Jewish people’s forgiveness.
Thus, the mercy seat was the place of atonement.
When seeing Christ’s death against the backdrop of the Old Testament sacrificial system, Christ became the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrifices, providing the means of atonement for all humanity.
The cross is where God dealt with His people’s sins.
No longer behind a veil, God’s atoning work through Jesus on the cross was displayed for all to see.
In His blood
His blood spilled out on the cross became the once-for-all sacrifice for sin.
Through Jesus’ sacrifice, sin was atoned for and God’s wrath was appeased. Our sins were forgiven. Repentant believers are redeemed from sin and reconciled to God. A new and eternal relationship with God is entered into.
Paul shared three phrases in verse 25 that define the significance of this atoning sacrifice.
Received through faith
1. First, this redemption and relationship are received through faith.
Faith becomes both a response to God’s gracious gift and a pledge to follow Christ.
To demonstrate his righteousness
2. Second, God provided redemption to demonstrate his righteousness.
God did what justice required. Atonement for sin was needed.
Jesus’ sacrifice satisfied God’s righteous nature and ushered in salvation for humankind.
God is both just and the justifier of those who trust in Him.
The problem of how a holy God can receive unholy people into His presence had been solved. The sinless sacrifice of Jesus atoned for the unrighteous human race. Forgiveness is offered freely. All that is necessary is for people to accept that forgiveness.
In his restraint God passed over the sins previously committed
Third, God passed over (or “let go unpunished”) the sins previously committed.
This idea is best understood against the background of the Day of Atonement.
The sins of the Jewish community were “passed over” or delayed for a year before the sacrifice was made for them.
God did not prosecute Old Testament sinners with the full extent of the law but allowed them to go unpunished.
God’s failure to judge may be called into question, but Paul explained that God did it in his restraint or patience.
26 God presented him to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so that he would be righteous and declare righteous the one who has faith in Jesus.
God presented him to demonstrate his righteousness
Verse 26 restates and completes the ideas of three critical verbs in this text: “revealed” (v. 21), “presented” (v. 25),
and “demonstrate” (v. 25).
Whereas sacrifices were made in the temple on the Day of Atonement by the high priest in private (Lev. 16:2-34), Jesus’ death was a public event.
At the present time He would be righteous and declare righteous
It was a demonstration for all the world to see, showing God’s righteous act. On the cross, Jesus was sacrificed for humanity’s sins, at the present time in salvation history. Through Jesus’ death God accomplished two things:
1. He would be righteous.
2. He would ... declare righteous those who believe in Jesus’ atoning work.
In other words, God’s justice was satisfied (He would be righteous) and the believer’s justification occurred (declare righteous).
Much like two sides of the same coin, the first act points to God, satisfying His righteous nature, and the second points to humankind, granting believers’ salvation.
the one who has faith in Jesus
God’s righteousness is revealed when He sets believers right with Himself.
God is righteous when He declares righteous the one who has faith in Jesus.
These actions show that God’s righteousness justifies the sinner and is essential to His character, revealing the power and relational aspects of His righteousness. Such a plan could have never been conceived in a human’s mind. It could only come from God.
27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By one of works? No, on the contrary, by a law of faith. 28 For we conclude that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
Building on the essence of faith (vv. 22,25,26), Paul highlighted the necessity of belief for experiencing justification.
He asked a series of rhetorical questions.
Where, then, is boasting?
1. Where, then, is boasting? Writing primarily to Jewish converts to Christianity,
Paul reminded them their Jewish heritage did not automatically make them the people of God.
Pride in one’s pedigree or achievements is insufficient for earning a right standing with God.
Based on verses 21-26, Paul concluded that all such boasting was excluded or rendered impossible by God.
By what kind of law?
2. By what kind of law? As Paul had already shown and proved (vv. 20,21), keeping the law is insufficient for obtaining a proper relationship with God.
By one of works? No, on the contrary, by a law of faith
3. By one of works? Paul made it abundantly clear that all had sinned and violated God’s perfect standard. No amount of meritorious work would be sufficient to bring one into right standing with God.
The only hope sinful humanity has is through faith in Jesus’ atoning sacrifice.
The law of faith communicates more the process of faith, not that faith is another law like the laws of the Old Testament.
Faith by its very nature rules out boasting, law-keeping, and works. Salvation is granted based on Jesus’ atoning sacrifice. It has nothing to do with one’s legacy, achievement, or merit.
A person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law
Paul concluded by making one crucial point: A person is justified by faith, not works.
The significant phrase, justified by faith, was at the heart of the Protestant Reformation.
It was not one’s works, religious pedigree, or the church’s absolution that granted salvation.
Salvation’s pathway is clear: personal trust in Jesus’ finished work on the cross alone is the only grounds for people to be saved. Righteousness is now attained apart from the works of the law or any human achievement, merit, or pursuit.
Verse 28 is a slight rewording of verse 20.
Once again Paul reminded his readers that the law’s true purpose was to make one aware of sin rather than to solve the sin problem. Only Jesus could do that.
And when the repentant sinner expresses personal faith in what Jesus accomplished on the cross, then salvation is granted. It’s the bargain of a lifetime.
What are some lasting truths in Romans 3:25-28?
Jesus’ sacrifice appeased God’s wrath and allowed for sinful humanity to be forgiven.
Faith is both a response to God’s gracious gift and a pledge to follow Jesus.
‘Through Jesus’ sacrifice, God remained righteous while declaring sinners righteous.
Sinful humanity’s only hope for salvation is in trusting.
RECAP (PAGE 27): Righteousness can only be achieved through faith in Christ, and that excludes any kind of boasting on our behalf (Ephesians 2:8-9). The law was put in place to reveal to us our shortcomings; therefore, it gives us no grounds for boasting. Thankfully, we can be justified through faith. Faith is our complete confidence and trust in Christ. Our faith is in the One who has completely satisfied God’s righteous and holy demands. That, and that alone, is our salvation.
DISCUSS: How would you describe what it means to have faith in God? [ALTERNATE: Which of the terms and phrases in these verses would you like to have defined?]
DISCUSS: How do the words of Romans 3 speak to your life and your needs for this coming week?
Live It Out
ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): Ask your group members to arrange themselves standing next to one another in a line. Set up a point about fifteen or twenty feet in front of the line and ask everyone to jump to that point (or get as close as they can). When everyone has jumped (and fallen short), explain that salvation works in a similar way. Even if we seem to get further than those around us, we will never get close to our goal when we rely on our own abilities. (Have a large group? Invite several volunteers to complete this activity while the remaining group members watch.)
Leader Pack: Display Pack Item #3, “The Gospel” poster. Guide your group members through a brief understanding of the basics of salvation. Emphasize that you are available to talk with anyone who would like to pray and receive Christ as their Savior.
SAY: “God has paid the ultimate price for our restoration through Jesus’ death on the cross. What will you do with that truth?”
GUIDE: Direct group members to review the three bulleted statements under Live It Out on page 28. Call on volunteers to share (1) which of these statements is something they want to pursue further, or (2) ways this study will transform their prayer life this week.
📷 Believe. Turn to God in faith and place your trust in Christ. Turn from yourself and turn to Christ who offers salvation through His death and resurrection. If you need help with this step, read the inside front cover of this book.
📷 Repent. Examine your life for any boasting about who you are and what you’ve done. Confess that to God and thank Him for His forgiveness. Recognize that anything you have or do is all from His grace.
📷 Share. This good news isn’t intended to be kept to yourself. Identify someone you know with whom you can share the good news of the gospel: Salvation is found in Christ.
GUIDE: Invite each person to gather with two or three Christ-followers of the same gender this week for a deeper discussion, using Talk It Out (page 28) to guide their discussion. Encourage group members to spend time each day in God’s Word with the devotions found in the Daily Study section (pages 29-32).
PRAY: Close your Bible study time with prayer.