Righteousness by Faith
Romans • Sermon • Submitted
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21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 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: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Introduction / Review
Introduction / Review
Paul has just spent nearly 2 chapter describing the hopeless state of mankind in the depths and despair of his sin. As we said late week sin is not a word we like to use very much. Even the concept causes us to hedge our own actions with thoughts of good deeds and pleas of relative innocence. We like to think of ourselves as “not that bad” or “works in progress” or even as “constantly striving to be and do better”. The whole world is literally wrapped up in the process of self justification. There is in the heart of man a knowledge of his sinful condition and a furious effort to correct and atone for the situation is ever present.
Remembering the purpose of the law:
We need to begin by remembering what Paul said at the end of the section we looked at last week. Notice what he says:
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Mans Answer:
Mans answer to the problem of sin is universal and can be summarized in two words “do better”. Or we might say “do more” or “try harder”. We are all familiar with phrase that can be traced to a school teachers manual in 1782.
Quote: "IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED, TRY, TRY AGAIN”. Don't give up too easily; persistence pays off in the end. The proverb has been traced back to 'Teacher's Manual' by American educator Thomas H. Palmer and 'The Children of the New Forest' by English novelist Frederick Maryat (1792-1848). Originally a maxim used to encourage American schoolchildren to do their homework. Palmer (1782-1861) wrote in his 'Teacher's Manual': 'Tis a lesson you should heed, try, try again. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.' The saying was popularized by Edward Hickson (1803-70) in his 'Moral Song' and is now applicable to any kind of activity." From "Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings" by Gregory Y. Titelman (Random House, New York, 1996, Page 154)
Man has been on a quest since the garden of eden to erase the problem of sin with self effort. Example - Adam and Eve clothing themselves with grass to hide their nakedness or Cain and his offering of the works of his hands. But Paul so clearly describes the folly in this philosophy by declaring the impossibility of such a pursuit.
Lets consider what he says again:
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Summary - The “deeds” or “we could say “works” can never make a man justified. Even if man invents his own standard he can never keep it, he can never do enough.
Transition
Transition
So we find ourselves at a point of transition in Paul’s letter. It all begins with one of the most important words in all of Scripture, the word “but”. Man cannot be justified by his deeds “but now the righteousness of God…is manifested”. In other words it is now made clear what the means of justification are and it can only be found in Christ.
First, Paul explains justification and then later he illustrates it in the life of Abraham. We are going to look first at Paul’s explanation.
First notice...
I. Righteousness -
I. Righteousness -
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 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:
Defined - Being right - accurate - correct - the opposite is evil, wicked or wrong.
Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Righteousness
Righteousness is fulfillment of the expectations in any relationship, whether with God or other people.
Jesus said about righteousness -
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
II. Justification -
II. Justification -
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Defined -
Lexham Theological Wordbook δικαιόω
vb. to justify, acquit, vindicate, declare to be righteous. The act of judging favorably or proving right.
Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Justification
Justification. The act of God in bringing sinners into a new covenant relationship with himself through the forgiveness of sins. Along with such terms as “regeneration” and “reconciliation,” it relates to a basic aspect of conversion. It is a declarative act of God by which he establishes persons as righteous; that is, in right and true relationship to himself.
Justification is what we receive - declared righteous
Through Christ is how we receive it - the only way our righteousness can exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees (or any other diligent and devout religious peoples) is through Christ
III. Propitiation
III. Propitiation
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Defined
Lexham Theological Wordbook ἱλαστήριον
ἱλαστήριον (hilastērion). n. neut. means of expiation, place of propitiation. Literally, the cover of the ark of the covenant in the tabernacle; metaphorically, a means or place of atonement.
God is holy and by his very nature must judge sin
The mercy seat in the tabernacle was a place that the Priest would sprinkle the blood of the annual sacrifice for the sins of the people
Jesus, in his suffering became that sacrifice and in turn became the sacrifice for our sins
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
IV. Believe in Jesus
IV. Believe in Jesus
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
What does it mean to believe in Jesus?
Does it mean we believe that he existed?
Does it mean we believe that he is real?
Does it mean we believe that he helps us?
No, it simply means trust
Quote: FAITH IS A LIVING, BOLD TRUST IN GOD’S GRACE… —MARTIN LUTHER
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Illustration: Zero Gravity Chair - The chair in my living room does not go back far enough - I cant take a nap in it - I cant fully rest in it. When I try I toss and turn trying to get comfortable. They say there is a chair out there somewhere that reclines so far that the person feels literally weightless! As many illustrations of faith that I can think of this is as good of one as any. Faith is reclining to a point of complete rest in what Jesus has done for us on the Cross!
Conclusion
Conclusion
Paul’s Concluding thoughts ....
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Literally…the law of God is upheld by faith. It stands by faith. It rests on faith. It is established through faith in Christ!