Sunday School Lesson

Justification through Works vs. Justification by Faith

Romans 10:5-17

Paul writes this letter to Roman Christians to juxtapose (contend) for justification through faith.

Challenges traditional rabbinic teaching of merit based reward from God

Argues extensively for justification through faith which is more faithful and centers upon Christ

According to Philippians 3:9 - Justification through works is worthless and harmful to the spiritual development compared to justification by faith

Justification by faith is centered on God’s faithfulness to humanity

Justification through works is anchored on humanity’s actions and the judgment of the law

Key Words

Righteousness / Justification (v.5,6,10)

Christ’s act of mercy and justice on the cross

Fulfillment of the law through relationship with Christ

Law (v. 5)

What is required by for righteousness as outlined in the Mosaic covenant

Belief (v.9-11, 14, 16)

Trusting someone or something because of its reliability and truthfulness

Carries a sense of certainty and duty to obey the person(s)

Faith (v.6, 8)

the act of believing in God and God’s word

Faith is belief in action

Fully embracing God’s ability to do what God promised

Salvation (v. 10)

Saving someone’s soul from destruction and defeat

Pardon and keeping safe from punishment

Call (v. 12 - 14)

Appeal to God for salvation in response to God’s invitation to relationship

Calling is always centered upon God’s invitation to humanity

Preach (v. 8, 14 - 15)

Proclaiming the message of Christs’ saving work for humanity

Focus is on the message rather than the messenger

Justification through works

Romans 10:5–6 NET

For Moses writes about the righteousness that is by the law: “The one who does these things will live by them.”But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down)

Moses writes about righteousness that is tied to the Jewish legal system.

The law that is found in the Torah is written as legal code. They are rules for Jewish worshippers to follow.

It is a merit based system. More specifically justice is centered on human equality.

If someone commits murder then it is just for the murderer to be stoned by death.

Tells you what is required action to fulfill God’s commands.

In secular Greek life — the law and subsequent judgments are thought to be the will of God.

Example: The 10 Commandments

Do not kill

Do not steal

Do not take your neighbors property, etc.

Broadly a moral code for human behavior

How to be a good citizen

Paul likens the spiritual effectiveness in relation to Christ work in history as worthless.

no legal system, governed by humanity can match the power of the cross.

Justification by faith

Romans 10:7–15 NET

or “Who will descend into the abyss?” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we preach), because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation.For the scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”For there is no distinction between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, who richly blesses all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How are they to call on one they have not believed in? And how are they to believe in one they have not heard of? And how are they to hear without someone preaching to them? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How timely is the arrival of those who proclaim the good news.”

v. 7 - 8:

Paul is setting up his argument for justification by faith through his teaching:

The don’t have to chase God down in Heaven nor bring God back to life on earth (v. 7)

Human effort cannot compare to the power of God.

They don’t have to go to Heaven to get a word or travel deep into the depths of the ocean to get a word. The Gospel is being preached to them by the church leaders.

The Gospel is in their hearts and minds because it being preached to them consistently.

Psychic readings, Astrology, African Spiritualism, Burning Sage, Crystals and Stones, Voodoo, or Hoodoo/Rootwork among other things isn’t necessary for salvation

If you attend Sunday School, Morning Worship, and other classes at GNL you don’t need to look outside of the church for the Gospel

What Paul is saying to the Gentiles in Rome and what we can embrace today at GNL: if you’re not embracing the teaching here, it’s not because the Gospel isn’t being taught.

v. 9 - 10:

Process of Salvation: (Rescue from God’s wrath)

What is salvation? (Go back to keywords)

Confession:

Verbally acknowledging Jesus is Lord

Believing Jesus is Lord

Jesus as Lord:

Believing Jesus is the ruler of the ultimate ruler of the universe

Jesus is the ultimate authority in your life

Submitting to God’s rule as revealed in Scripture

Components of Salvation:

Heart - Thoughts, character, emotion, and morals

Belief and Righteousness/Justification

Where you are believe

What is justified

Mouth - Verbal admission

Confession and Salvation

How you make your confession

Soul is saved

Results of Salvation:

Romans 10:11 - 13

v.11:

Freedom from shame -

Accusations are removed

Charges are dropped

Avoid God’s judgment against unbelievers

v. 12 - 13:

Oneness in Christ -

There isn’t a racial, ethnic, social, political, or geographic hierarchy in God’s kingdom.

Christ is Lord of everyone who believes regardless of where and when someone calls on the Lord.

salvation isn’t limited to Sunday morning altar call

Everyone who truly accepts Christ into their heart will be saved.

You don’t need to have anything together for Salvation. That’s the purpose — it is a confession that you need Christ in your life because you can’t change your character, you cannot manage your emotions, you cannot glorify God without His authority in your life.

The Importance of Evangelism and Discipleship:

Romans 10:14 - 17

Necessity of Belief: (v.14)

You cannot call on God if you don’t believe God exists nor believe God wants a relationship with you.

Calling on God is responding to an invitation to relationship.

God’s call for relationship is centered on Christ’s life, death, and resurrection

Necessity of Preaching / Evangelism: (v.14)

People won’t believe in a God they’ve never heard/read about

The bible wasn’t compiled at this time. Christianity was still in the earliest stages of formation. Relied on communal worship for reading/studying

People cannot hear the Gospel if someone doesn’t tell them

Preaching is general in this sense. It’s not about the messenger but the message.

People cannot hear the Gospel someone won’t share the gospel with them

Necessity of the Call (v.15)

God goes call people to preach the Gospel. God assigns people certain groups to preach, too.

Generally, all Christians are assigned people in their sphere of influence to minister to.

Specifically, God’s call people to preach the Gospel in an official ministerial capacity and may send them to different places to preach.

The Gospel is Celebrated (v.15)

Traditionally, people welcome a herald who is sent to share good news from the government.

The Gospel is the truth of Christ redeeming work in creation.

Even if the journey is rough, the message is still good. That’s the beauty of the Gospel

Rejection (v.16)

The reality is that everyone will not believe the message of the Gospel. If everyone didn’t believe Christ, everyone won’t believe us.

It’s not your fault if you’re being faithful to the work and message of Christ.

Don’t stop sharing the Gospel because a few people rejected the Word. Continue sharing the gospel and walking alongside people God called you to disciple.

Necessity of Scriptures (v.17)

Scripture is essential to faith.

Faith comes from hearing/reading/studying the Bible.

God reveals the truth of salvation through the Scriptures

The Gospel increases our faith

The more we read, listen to, and study scripture the stronger our faith should grow.