03-27-2022 Justified by FAITH

Romans 3:27–4:8 ESV

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. 1 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

Big Man on the Block - Busting Boasting (v. 27)

How do we bust boasting? Faith in Christ! (humility, worship, obedience to another)

BIG NEWS - Building a Biblical foundation for Salvation (vv. 3:27-4:8)

Conclusion: Justified - Declared right, BY FAITH (v. 28)

APART from the WORKS of the LAW (v. 28)

ONE GOD - THUS ONE PROVIDER and ONE PLAN for ALL people groups (v. 29-30)

FAITH does not VOID the LAW (v. 31)

hestemi - stands by it/uphold the authority. We trust in the LAW GIVER and because we trust IN HIM we uphold the Moral Standards

Example #1 - Abraham:

Scripture says, “Abraham BELIEVED GOD and IT was RECKONED to Him for Righteousness”

If you work YOU OBLIGATE GOD to be indebted to you, and he pays wages (go back to 3:23)

So work and earn if you choose, but you won’t store up grace - only the wages of SIN which IS DEATH

Example #2 - David:

Stop WORKING and BELIEVE… God justifies (declares righteous) the UNGODLY

BELIEF ON HIM - that faith is reckoned unto righteousness (v. 5)

David Understands and writes a Psalm to help us remember - Psalm 32

Psalm 32 NLT

A psalm of David. 1 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! 2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! 3 When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. 4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude 5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Interlude 6 Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. 7 For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. Interlude 8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. 9 Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.” 10 Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord. 11 So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!