Lesson 14 - Romans 3:21-26

The righteousness of God in Jesus Christ.

Read Romans 3:21-26

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 3

21But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

22even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;

23for all ahave sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

24being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

25whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation bin His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;

26for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Discuss:

Vs 21 & 22 -

What does righteousness mean? Define it in your own words:

What role does the word”now” play in the book of Romans in verse 21?

What does God reveal in verse 21 about righteousness?

Who does verse 22 reveal can be righteous?

How to we take possession of God’s righteousness?

Vs 23 -

Define sin in your own words:

What does verse 23 tells about humanity and sin?

What is the “Glory of God”? ( Heb. 1:1-4)

What does Rom. 3:23 mean?

Vs 24 -

What does it mean to be justified? Use your own words:

What is Paul saying about justification when he says, “as a free gift by His grace”?

If justification is a free gift why do we need to be redeemed by Jesus Christ?

Vs 25 -

How did God the Father demonstrate His righteousness?

Vs 26 -

Verse 25 says God passed over sins previously committed, what does that mean and what did God do about those sins?

How does God demonstrate He is just and the justifier?

How do we become justified?

Give a simple explanation of Faith?

Application:

#1 - Grace. As our conversion recedes further and further into the past, many of us have a hard time remembering just how joyous is the “but now” transition we have been talking about. The good news becomes old hat, and we lose the sense of wonder and awe we first had when we understood that God had adopted us into his family. Why is this?

(Moo, D. J. (2000). Romans (p. 135). Zondervan Publishing House.)

#2 - Why does it seem easier to put faith in Jesus for our salvation that it does to live by faith in Jesus?

#3 - How would you share this passage of scripture to an unbeliever?