3. GOOD NEWS - THE UNRIGHTEOUS CAN BECOME RIGHTEOUS (Romans 3:21 - 8:39)

A believer is viewed in Christ, as righteous, and is treated as such by God.

Romans 3:21 "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, ..."

Righteousness is used here as the gift that is given to everyone who receives Christ. It is the opposite of "condemnation", discussed in the previous portion of the epistle. "But now" introduces a logical progression to the gift of righteousness in Christ, that the unrighteous can become righteous. "Which is through faith in Jesus Christ" (Romans 3:22-23 ). Witness to this truth is found in the law and the prophets. (Romans 3:21 ). Sin is lack of conformity to the glory of God. All fall short of the divine splendour (Romans 3:23 ). In Jesus alone is displayed that perfect likeness to the Father.

To be justified is to be pronounced righteous by God.

Romans 3:24 "being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,"

What Christ has done is described in the use of three key words (Romans 3:24-25 ).

"JUSTIFIED" - a courtroom word - in Christ the condemned are acquitted by God.
"REDEMPTION" - a word from slavery - Christ paid the price to set free those who are slaves to sin.
"PROPITIATION" - a priestly word - Christ offered Himself as the sacrifice acceptable to God.

"A propitiation by His blood" (Romans 3:24 ). "His blood" emphasises He offered His life blood (1 Corinthians 5:7; Ephesians 5:2 ):-

vicariously - for the sake of sinners (Ephesians 5:2 );
substitutionary - as a penalty for sin;
propitiatory - as satisfying God's righteous nature (Hebrews 2:17, 1 John 2:2 ).

Romans 3:25-26 "... to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. "

By the sacrifice of Jesus, God can remain just when declaring righteous one who believes in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins.

Justification is by faith and gives the law the place God always intended it to have. The role of the law is to make mankind conscious of sin - like looking in a mirror (Romans 3:20 ), showing us our sin and pointing toward faith in the cleansing blood of Christ (Romans 3:27-31 ), therefore the gospel is for Jew and Gentile - for all. Justification-by-faith principle is not new, it is established as an Old Testament experience. This is proved and illustrated in the fact that Abraham was justified by faith and not by works (Romans 4:1-8 ) and confirmed by David. From the fact that Abraham was justified by faith and before his circumcision, witness that religious ceremonies or ordinances cannot justify (Romans 4:9-12 ).

Justification by faith is apart from the law, its not by faith plus, but by faith alone (Romans 4:13-15 ). Any teaching that insists by a plus means, added to faith in Christ, is contradicted by Abraham's experience. Faith is confidence that God can do what He promises and that He will surely keep His word (Romans 4:16-25 ). God keeps His promise of salvation to all those who believe - we can depend on His guarantee. Abraham fully faced all the difficulty, yet he believed God (Romans 4:19-23 ). Abraham never doubted. So we should never doubt God's power to fulfil His promises in Christ to us. "It was accounted to him for righteousness" (Romans 4:22 ). Faith in Jesus is essential because all God's promises are focussed in and through Him (Romans 4:24-25 ).

Romans 4:25 "who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification."

The resurrection of Jesus declares God's approval of Christ's complete work of redemption, and His total approval of all who believe and are receivers of His miraculous life, demonstrated in the resurrection of Jesus. Ours is a lifelong justification in fellowship with the risen, living Lord.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. How does God view you, as condemned or righteous (Romans 3:21-23 )?

2. Can you define these words as applied to yourself:- Justified - Redemption - Propitiation (Romans 3:24-25 )?

3. Can you prove that justification by faith is established as an Old Testament experience (Romans 4:1-8 )?

4. What religious ceremonies or ordinances do you think are necessary to your justification (Romans 4:9-12 )?

5. Do you never doubt God's power to fulfill His promises to you in Christ (Romans 4:19-25 )?