03-13-2022 - MADE RIGHT OR LEFT WRONG...

Romans 3:21–31 ESV

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 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. 26 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. 27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

OPEN IN PRAYER

The Righteousness of God REVEALED apart from the Law

Law and Prophets bear witness

John 5:46 ESV

46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.

Romans 1:1–3 ESV

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh

Acts 10:43 ESV

43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Righteousness of God THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST (vv. 22-26)

toward (for) all who believe.

Look at Verse 23 >> No distinction: ALL HAVE SINNED and FALLEN SHORT (destitute, come late, left behind in a race - fail to become a partaker) OF GLORY OF GOD - TWO FOLD PROBLEM

v. 24 “all who believe” from v. 22 are JUSTIFIED by His grace [as a gift - see eph 2:8-9] - Something Paul also mentions in Titus 3:7

Titus 3:7 ESV

7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

v. 24 THROUGH the redemption, acquittal, release, deliverance that is IN Christ Jesus (Acts 10:43

Acts 10:43 ESV

43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

v. 25 - WHOM God set forth as a [propitiation - “means of expiation” or “place of propitiation” The latter is better - the PLACE where blood is spilled - thus a “sin offering” by His blood

v. 25 - to demonstrate His righteousness - because in His forbearance God has passed over [deliberate disregard, let go unpunished] the sins that were previously committed

v. 26 - to demonstrate at the present time HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS [i.e. Christ] - that He might be just and the justifier of the one who HAS FAITH IN JESUS

Notice: v. 22 - all who BELIEVE; v. 25 - THROUGH FAITH; v. 26 - The one WHO HAS FAITH IN JESUS