BELIEVERS NOW LIVE OUT THEIR LIFE UNDER A DIFFERENT LAW:
THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE
Romans 8:1-27
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. Believers in Christ Jesus should now live out their life in a new way which is free from condemnation (vs 1-4).
A. The Mosaic Law bring condemnation (a judgment against someone) to the flesh. The flesh is the core nature of unbelievers and the “sinful tendency” remnant in believer’s lives. Remember Paul’s equation of flesh (sin) + Law + death which he formulated in chapters one through seven (vs 1).
1. Believers now have dies to sin (Rom. 6:2) and have died to the Mosaic Law (Rom. 7:4) through Christ (vs 2; Gal. 3:19, 23-25; Col. 2:13-23).
2. Believers now have the law of the Spirit of life. Therefore, Paul’s new formula is new nature + Spirit= life (vs 2; Rom. 6:22,23; 7:6).
B. God has fulfilled the righteous requirements of the Law in us through our justification (past-tense salvation) in Christ (vs 3; Rom. 3:19; Matt. 5:17).
C. God desires for His believers to now learn to walk according to the Spirit so that we might fulfill His will (righteous requirement) for us (vs 4). In Paul’s mind, this would be present-tense salvation, sanctification, or walking in holiness (Rom. 6:19, 22; 7:22,25).
Thought: What are some way believers can slow down their sanctification.
II. Believers in Christ Jesus now have the choice of obeying the Holy Spirit or the flesh (vs 5-11).
A. The flesh will produce death (which for the believer is broken fellowship with God and fellow believers, loss of good fruit, and loss of reward and inheritance) and the Spirit will produce life and peace (vs 6; Rom. 6:21-23; 7:4-6; Gal. 5:16-26).
B. Living or walking in the Spirit pleases God now (vs 7,8; Gal. 3:20; Eph. 5:10).
C. All believers have the Holy Spirit living in them now (vs 9; I Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:13).
D. All believers continue to have dying physical bodies and yet the core of their being is alive through the new nature and the Holy Spirit (vs 10). Also, because of the Holy Spirits presence, we are assured of having a resurrected spiritual body in the future (vs 11, I Cor. 15:35-49; 2 Cor. 5:1-6; Eph. 1:13,14).
Thought: If all believers have the Holy Spirit, why do some believers still pray for the Holy Spirit?
III. What the Holy Spirit now does in a believer’s life (vs 12-27):
A. He helps us “put to death” our flesh (sinful tendencies) and therefore truly live (vs 12-17; Col. 3:5-9).
1. This is a process. As we are led by the Spirit of God, we are living out our children of God position (vs 14, I John 2:28-3:3).
2. This process should not lead us back to the old ways of the Law but rather to a deeper understanding of being God’s adopted children (vs 15a; Gal. 4:6,7).
3. This process should deepen our relationship with God as our Abba (An Aramaic expression used in the family circle for father)(vs 15b, 16).
4. This process involves suffering with Christ but it will also produce future inheritance (vs 17; Matt. 19:28-30; 2 Tim 2:11-13; Rev. 20:4).
B. He will give to us our resurrected spiritual bodies as well as a restored and new heaven and earth (vs 18-23).
1. The creation was subject to frustration (“mataiotas”- vanity (Eccles. 1:1), aimlessness, inability to reach or obtain results) by God at the time of the fall (Gen. 3:14, 17-19). It is portrayed as looking forward to it’s restoration (vs 18-22; Isa. 60; Eph. 1:10; Rev. 21:1-22:6).
2. We also continue to groan because we still have our remnant flesh and physical body that are ill-adapted for eternal life (vs 23; John 14:1-4).
C. He helps us in our weakness by praying for us (vs 26, 27).
1. We pray in imprecise, spoken ways to Abba, Father (I John 5:14,15).
2. He prays in precise, unspoken ways according to God’s will (John 14:15-18).
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Romans 7:1-25
WHAT BELIEVERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT LAW AND SIN
Romans 7:1-25
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. Justified believers need to learn to serve God now in a new way rather than turning back to a previously tried old way (vs 1-6).
A. All believers have now died to the Law through the body of Christ (vs 1-4b).
1. Christ fulfilled the law by living a perfect life and submitting himself to a cruel death in his body (vs 4a; Matt. 5:17; I. Cor. 11:23-26).
2. We have died to the Law by uniting ourselves with Christ. We now have died with him, have fulfilled the Law in Him, and therefore the old Law should no longer have a binding or condemning force on our new lives (vs 1-3, 4b; Gal. 3:23, 24; Col. 3:1-4).
B. All believers now belong to Christ and our purpose now is to bear fruit unto God (vs 4c-6; John 15:5, 8, 15, 16; Phil. 1:21,22).
1. Living life “in the flesh”, whether as an unbeliever or a believer, produces a mixture of sin aroused by the Law. This combination produces fruit unto death (lacking God’s fellowship, will, purpose, or blessing)(vs 5; Rom. 6:19-23, 7:14-20, 8:12-14).
2. Believers have now been released from (katargeo- to make unemployed, redundant) the Law but we need to learn how to serve God now in the new way of the Spirit (vs 6; Rom. 8:2; Gal. 3:23-25; Col. 2:16-23).
Thought: What choices do we make on a moment by moment basis that determines whether we as believers produce fruit unto God or fruit unto death?
II. Justified believers have died to sin(Rom. 6:2) and have died to the Law(Rom. 7:4) and yet they still struggle with sin and the Law (vs 7-25).
A. The Law of God is holy, righteous and good (vs 7-13).
1. It reveals what sin is (vs 7-13).
2. It increases sin’s desire to sin more (like a catalyst)(vs 8-12; Rom. 5:20).
3. Paul’s spiritual formulation would be sin + Law = death(a negative spiritual reaction that is supposed to lead someone to cry out to God for mercy and belief)(vs 13; Gal. 3:23-25).
B. The Law of God is spiritual (pneumatikos) but Paul and all believers are fleshly(sarknos) when we offer ourselves to sin rather than to God (vs 14-25; Rom. 6:15-18).
1. A believer now has a new nature (2 Cor. 5:17) which desires the things of God(Eph. 4:23, 24; 5:8-10) as well as a remnant of the old self called the flesh(vs 18; Rom 8:1,4; Gal. 5:16-18).
2. The flesh is our leftover sinful tendencies and is sometimes called ethical flesh(better named unethical) by theologians. It is different from our physical or mortal bodies (Rom. 16:12, 13; 18:11).
3. The flesh seeks to reign (vs 15-20), practice evil (vs 19,21) and wage war against the new nature in order to take it captive (vs 23).
4. In Paul’s theology, a believer’s new nature desires to do what is good(vs 15, 18, 21), delights in God’s Law (vs 22) and operates to its full extent in a Spirit controlled mind (vs 23,25).
Thought: Flesh(sin) + Law = death; New nature + Spirit = life; the choice is yours. Is the thing which concerns you most leading you toward death or life?
Romans 7:1-25
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. Justified believers need to learn to serve God now in a new way rather than turning back to a previously tried old way (vs 1-6).
A. All believers have now died to the Law through the body of Christ (vs 1-4b).
1. Christ fulfilled the law by living a perfect life and submitting himself to a cruel death in his body (vs 4a; Matt. 5:17; I. Cor. 11:23-26).
2. We have died to the Law by uniting ourselves with Christ. We now have died with him, have fulfilled the Law in Him, and therefore the old Law should no longer have a binding or condemning force on our new lives (vs 1-3, 4b; Gal. 3:23, 24; Col. 3:1-4).
B. All believers now belong to Christ and our purpose now is to bear fruit unto God (vs 4c-6; John 15:5, 8, 15, 16; Phil. 1:21,22).
1. Living life “in the flesh”, whether as an unbeliever or a believer, produces a mixture of sin aroused by the Law. This combination produces fruit unto death (lacking God’s fellowship, will, purpose, or blessing)(vs 5; Rom. 6:19-23, 7:14-20, 8:12-14).
2. Believers have now been released from (katargeo- to make unemployed, redundant) the Law but we need to learn how to serve God now in the new way of the Spirit (vs 6; Rom. 8:2; Gal. 3:23-25; Col. 2:16-23).
Thought: What choices do we make on a moment by moment basis that determines whether we as believers produce fruit unto God or fruit unto death?
II. Justified believers have died to sin(Rom. 6:2) and have died to the Law(Rom. 7:4) and yet they still struggle with sin and the Law (vs 7-25).
A. The Law of God is holy, righteous and good (vs 7-13).
1. It reveals what sin is (vs 7-13).
2. It increases sin’s desire to sin more (like a catalyst)(vs 8-12; Rom. 5:20).
3. Paul’s spiritual formulation would be sin + Law = death(a negative spiritual reaction that is supposed to lead someone to cry out to God for mercy and belief)(vs 13; Gal. 3:23-25).
B. The Law of God is spiritual (pneumatikos) but Paul and all believers are fleshly(sarknos) when we offer ourselves to sin rather than to God (vs 14-25; Rom. 6:15-18).
1. A believer now has a new nature (2 Cor. 5:17) which desires the things of God(Eph. 4:23, 24; 5:8-10) as well as a remnant of the old self called the flesh(vs 18; Rom 8:1,4; Gal. 5:16-18).
2. The flesh is our leftover sinful tendencies and is sometimes called ethical flesh(better named unethical) by theologians. It is different from our physical or mortal bodies (Rom. 16:12, 13; 18:11).
3. The flesh seeks to reign (vs 15-20), practice evil (vs 19,21) and wage war against the new nature in order to take it captive (vs 23).
4. In Paul’s theology, a believer’s new nature desires to do what is good(vs 15, 18, 21), delights in God’s Law (vs 22) and operates to its full extent in a Spirit controlled mind (vs 23,25).
Thought: Flesh(sin) + Law = death; New nature + Spirit = life; the choice is yours. Is the thing which concerns you most leading you toward death or life?
Friday, July 16, 2010
Romans 6:1-23
WHAT BELIEVERS ENTER INTO BECAUSE OF UNION WITH CHRIST
Romans 6:1-23
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. As justified believers, we are now united with Christ in his death(vs 1-7). As such we should:
A. realize tat we have dies with Christ and therefore are free to not live in sin(vs 1-5; Col. 3:3,4).
1. We now have the ability to sin less often. The outward act of water baptism is a symbol of the inward reality (vs 1-3; Col. 2:20).
2. We now have the ability to please God and live righteously (Eph. 5:8-10). Paul calls this walking in newness of life (vs. 4,5). The theological term for this is sanctification (set apart to holiness and used in vs 19,22).
B. realize that our old self (before justification) was crucified so that the body of sin (our sinful tendencies, not our physical body, Rom. 7; Gal. 5:17, Col. 2:11) might be destroyed (vs 6, 7; Eph. 4:22; 25-31; Col. 3:5-9).
Thought: How does dying with Christ free you from sinning?
II. As justified believers, we are now united with Christ in his resurrected life (vs 8-14). As such we should:
A. realize we have been raised with Christ and therefore live with him now and in the future (vs 8, Col. 3:1,2).
B. Realize that Christ (as our redeemer and example) died to sin once, now lives to please God and at the core of our being this is also true with us (vs 9-11; 2 Cor. 5:14-21; I Peter 3:18).
C. Not let sin reign (basilueto- “to be king”, a present, imperative) in our mortal (thnatos- “subject to death”) bodies (vs 12).
D. Not offer (“place at ones disposal”, a present, imperative) the parts of our bodies as tools or weapons (hopla) of unrighteousness for the purpose of sinning. Rather we are to realize we have already offered (aorist, imperative) our body parts to God as tools or weapons of righteousness (vs 13.14).
Thought: Which body part do you need to place at God’s disposal today?
III. As justified believers who are united with Christ, you have a moment by moment choice of whether to serve sin or righteousness (vs 15-23; Gal. 5:13-26).
A. The principle is this: we become servants to whatever we choose to obey (vs 15,16). Obedience to sin takes us away from God’s desired pathway for us (encompassed in the word death)(vs 16; 1 Cor. 11:27-32) and obedience to God moves us closer into His fellowship and righteousness (vs 16; I John 1:3-7).
B. By being heart-obedient to this form of teaching which has been handed over to us (“paradidomai”- as to a new slave master), we can make true progress in righteousness (vs 17, 18).
C. Like we used to offer our bodies for impurity (immoral sexual activity) and wickedness (lawlessness), we now are to offer our body parts to righteousness and sanctification (vs 19, 20; Eph. 4:23, 24; Col. 3:10-17).
D. The wages for choosing to be a servant of sin is shame and death (separated fellowship, discipline, etc.). Choosing to live as a servant of righteousness brings the gift of God’s full salvation (fellowship, blessing, reward, etc.) and eventually fullness of true life forever (including a new glorified body) (vs 21-23; Matt 19:29; I Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:10).
Romans 6:1-23
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. As justified believers, we are now united with Christ in his death(vs 1-7). As such we should:
A. realize tat we have dies with Christ and therefore are free to not live in sin(vs 1-5; Col. 3:3,4).
1. We now have the ability to sin less often. The outward act of water baptism is a symbol of the inward reality (vs 1-3; Col. 2:20).
2. We now have the ability to please God and live righteously (Eph. 5:8-10). Paul calls this walking in newness of life (vs. 4,5). The theological term for this is sanctification (set apart to holiness and used in vs 19,22).
B. realize that our old self (before justification) was crucified so that the body of sin (our sinful tendencies, not our physical body, Rom. 7; Gal. 5:17, Col. 2:11) might be destroyed (vs 6, 7; Eph. 4:22; 25-31; Col. 3:5-9).
Thought: How does dying with Christ free you from sinning?
II. As justified believers, we are now united with Christ in his resurrected life (vs 8-14). As such we should:
A. realize we have been raised with Christ and therefore live with him now and in the future (vs 8, Col. 3:1,2).
B. Realize that Christ (as our redeemer and example) died to sin once, now lives to please God and at the core of our being this is also true with us (vs 9-11; 2 Cor. 5:14-21; I Peter 3:18).
C. Not let sin reign (basilueto- “to be king”, a present, imperative) in our mortal (thnatos- “subject to death”) bodies (vs 12).
D. Not offer (“place at ones disposal”, a present, imperative) the parts of our bodies as tools or weapons (hopla) of unrighteousness for the purpose of sinning. Rather we are to realize we have already offered (aorist, imperative) our body parts to God as tools or weapons of righteousness (vs 13.14).
Thought: Which body part do you need to place at God’s disposal today?
III. As justified believers who are united with Christ, you have a moment by moment choice of whether to serve sin or righteousness (vs 15-23; Gal. 5:13-26).
A. The principle is this: we become servants to whatever we choose to obey (vs 15,16). Obedience to sin takes us away from God’s desired pathway for us (encompassed in the word death)(vs 16; 1 Cor. 11:27-32) and obedience to God moves us closer into His fellowship and righteousness (vs 16; I John 1:3-7).
B. By being heart-obedient to this form of teaching which has been handed over to us (“paradidomai”- as to a new slave master), we can make true progress in righteousness (vs 17, 18).
C. Like we used to offer our bodies for impurity (immoral sexual activity) and wickedness (lawlessness), we now are to offer our body parts to righteousness and sanctification (vs 19, 20; Eph. 4:23, 24; Col. 3:10-17).
D. The wages for choosing to be a servant of sin is shame and death (separated fellowship, discipline, etc.). Choosing to live as a servant of righteousness brings the gift of God’s full salvation (fellowship, blessing, reward, etc.) and eventually fullness of true life forever (including a new glorified body) (vs 21-23; Matt 19:29; I Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:10).
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Romans 5:1-21
WHAT BELIEVERS ENTER INTO BECAUSE OF JUSTIFICATION
Romans 5:1-21
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. Those who have been justified (declared righteous) by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ now have these amazing benefits (vs 1-5):
A. Present and lasting peace with God. Peace is the Greek word "eirena" and comes from the Hebrew word "shalom" which means to be complete, sound, safe, free from fault, healthy and prosperous (vs 1; Col. 1:20; Eph. 2:14).
B. Access into the grace (unmerited favor) of God. The Greek word for access is the word for introducing someone into the presence of a ruler (vs 2; Eph. 1:3; Heb. 4:16; 2 Peter 1:3).
C. The ability to rejoice (boast in God; Gal. 6:14) in afflictions, tribulations or sufferings. The justified believer's peace is with God but not necessarily the things or people in this world (James 1:2-5).
1. Sufferings produce steadfast endurance (hupomonan-remain under) to bear up under the pressure of the difficulty (vs 3; 1 Cor. 10:13).
2. Steadfast endurance produces proof of approved character like gold from the furnace which has been purified and tested (vs 4; Job 23:10).
3. Approved character produces hopeful expectation in God and His promises (vs 4; 1 Tim. 3:13; James 1:4).
4. Hopeful expectation produces confidence before God (instead of shame) and a deep understanding that his Holy Spirit lives in us, helping and loving us (vs 5).
Thought: What benefit of being justified has meant the most to you this week?
II. Justified believers should be amazed at the full extent of God's love (vs 6-11).
A. Christ died for the powerless (inability because of sickness and weakness), the ungodly, sinners and enemies (vs 6, 8, 10). In other words, all of us.
B. Rarely will a person die for a righteous person (one who upholds right) although for a good person (someone who does good to others), a person might die. However, God's amazing love is shown in Christ's death for sinners (vs 7,8).
C. We have been justified (declared righteous, past tense salvation) through Christ's death. We are being and will be sanctified (made holy, present tense salvation) and glorified (future) through his life (vs 9-11).
III. Paul answers a few questions on sin and the Law (vs 12-21).
A. Sin and death came into all of the human race through the breaking of God's verbal command to Adam (v 12; Gen 3:1-19).
B. The giving of the Law by Moses was not the start of sin and death because physical death and sin was already present (vs 13,14).
C. Jesus' gift is not like Adam's trespass because Adam's trespass brought death but Jesus' gift brings life (vs 15,16).
D. Jesus' gift is like Adam's trespass in that it was by one man doing one act bringing one certain result (vs 17-19).
E. The purpose of the Law in justification was to show people that they were not able to live up to it. Therefore it was meant to lead sinners to God's grace and mercy (vs 20,21; Rom. 3:20; Gal. 13:24).
Thought: Romans 5:12-21 is a key text in the study of the Biblical concepts of original and inherited sin. For deeper and further study, I recommend "Christian Theology" by Millard J. Erickson, "Basic Theology" by Charles C. Ryrie, or Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem.
Romans 5:1-21
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. Those who have been justified (declared righteous) by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ now have these amazing benefits (vs 1-5):
A. Present and lasting peace with God. Peace is the Greek word "eirena" and comes from the Hebrew word "shalom" which means to be complete, sound, safe, free from fault, healthy and prosperous (vs 1; Col. 1:20; Eph. 2:14).
B. Access into the grace (unmerited favor) of God. The Greek word for access is the word for introducing someone into the presence of a ruler (vs 2; Eph. 1:3; Heb. 4:16; 2 Peter 1:3).
C. The ability to rejoice (boast in God; Gal. 6:14) in afflictions, tribulations or sufferings. The justified believer's peace is with God but not necessarily the things or people in this world (James 1:2-5).
1. Sufferings produce steadfast endurance (hupomonan-remain under) to bear up under the pressure of the difficulty (vs 3; 1 Cor. 10:13).
2. Steadfast endurance produces proof of approved character like gold from the furnace which has been purified and tested (vs 4; Job 23:10).
3. Approved character produces hopeful expectation in God and His promises (vs 4; 1 Tim. 3:13; James 1:4).
4. Hopeful expectation produces confidence before God (instead of shame) and a deep understanding that his Holy Spirit lives in us, helping and loving us (vs 5).
Thought: What benefit of being justified has meant the most to you this week?
II. Justified believers should be amazed at the full extent of God's love (vs 6-11).
A. Christ died for the powerless (inability because of sickness and weakness), the ungodly, sinners and enemies (vs 6, 8, 10). In other words, all of us.
B. Rarely will a person die for a righteous person (one who upholds right) although for a good person (someone who does good to others), a person might die. However, God's amazing love is shown in Christ's death for sinners (vs 7,8).
C. We have been justified (declared righteous, past tense salvation) through Christ's death. We are being and will be sanctified (made holy, present tense salvation) and glorified (future) through his life (vs 9-11).
III. Paul answers a few questions on sin and the Law (vs 12-21).
A. Sin and death came into all of the human race through the breaking of God's verbal command to Adam (v 12; Gen 3:1-19).
B. The giving of the Law by Moses was not the start of sin and death because physical death and sin was already present (vs 13,14).
C. Jesus' gift is not like Adam's trespass because Adam's trespass brought death but Jesus' gift brings life (vs 15,16).
D. Jesus' gift is like Adam's trespass in that it was by one man doing one act bringing one certain result (vs 17-19).
E. The purpose of the Law in justification was to show people that they were not able to live up to it. Therefore it was meant to lead sinners to God's grace and mercy (vs 20,21; Rom. 3:20; Gal. 13:24).
Thought: Romans 5:12-21 is a key text in the study of the Biblical concepts of original and inherited sin. For deeper and further study, I recommend "Christian Theology" by Millard J. Erickson, "Basic Theology" by Charles C. Ryrie, or Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Romans 3:21- 4:25
HOW PEOPLE ARE JUSTIFIED IN THE SIGHT OF GOD
Romans 3:21- 4:25
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. Since the time of Christ's death, burial and resurrection, the ability of God to declare a sinner righteous is being made known (Rom. 3:21-31).
A. This righteousness of God is apart from obedience to the Mosaic or Old Testament Law (vs. 21-23).
1. The Law and Prophets have testified to this (vs 21; 3:10-18).
2. It comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe (vs 22).
3. Everyone has sinned ("hamarton"- missed the mark) and come up short of God's power, Godness and reflection (vs 23; 1:20,23; Gen. 1:26).
B. This righteousness of God justifies (declares righteous) believers through the work of Christ Jesus (vs 24-31).
1. This is given freely (like an unpaid for gift) by God's grace (unmerited favor) to believers (vs 24).
2. Christ's work redeemed "apolutroseos" or ransomed believers by the payment of a price (vs 24; Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45; Rom. 8:23; Eph. 1:7; Titus 2:14).
3. Christ's work propitiated "ilastarion" or satisfied the wrath of God concerning the believer's unrighteousness and sins. This word is connected to the mercy seat or covering of the ark of the covenant in the most holy place (Lev. 16:14, Heb. 9:5; I John 2:2).
a. Before the cross, God was righteous in patiently passing by past sins because of the person's belief in God's ability to forgive (vs 25).
b. Since the time of Christ, God's pinnacle of full justice has been met and, therefore, now God has a way of declaring believers righteous and the world and unbelievers guilty (vs 26; Acts 17:31; I John 1:3-2:2).
4. Christ's work eliminates the possibility of human self-righteous boasting (vs 27-34).
Thought: What would you say to someone who said that, "God will let me be with him because I have done more good things than bad"?
II. In chapter 4, Paul proves from Old Testament Scriptures his previous points (Rom. 4:1-25).
A. Abraham was declared righteous by God on account of his faith apart from his works (vs 1-5; Gen. 15:6).
B. David has faith in Yahweh's righteousness by forgiving his sins apart from works (vs 6-8; Psalms 32:1,2; 2 Sam. 12:13).
C. Abraham's faith and justification was before both circumcision and the Law (vs 9-25).
1. Abraham was declared righteous at least 14 years before he was circumcised (vs 9-12; Gen 15:6, Gen. 17:10-13).
2. Circumcision was a sign and seal of Abraham's justification by faith (vs 11).
3. Abraham received the promise through faith, not through the Law (vs 13; Gal. 3:16-19).
4. Therefore, God made Abraham the father of all believers of every nation (vs 13-17a; Gen. 12:3 Gen 17:5).
5. Abraham still believed God's promise that a son (an heir) would be born even though he was close to 100 years old and Sarah was around 90 years old (vs 17b-19; Gen. 21:1-7).
6. The record of Abraham's justification through faith in Genesis 15:6 was written for all who would believe in Jesus (vs 20-25).
Romans 3:21- 4:25
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. Since the time of Christ's death, burial and resurrection, the ability of God to declare a sinner righteous is being made known (Rom. 3:21-31).
A. This righteousness of God is apart from obedience to the Mosaic or Old Testament Law (vs. 21-23).
1. The Law and Prophets have testified to this (vs 21; 3:10-18).
2. It comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe (vs 22).
3. Everyone has sinned ("hamarton"- missed the mark) and come up short of God's power, Godness and reflection (vs 23; 1:20,23; Gen. 1:26).
B. This righteousness of God justifies (declares righteous) believers through the work of Christ Jesus (vs 24-31).
1. This is given freely (like an unpaid for gift) by God's grace (unmerited favor) to believers (vs 24).
2. Christ's work redeemed "apolutroseos" or ransomed believers by the payment of a price (vs 24; Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45; Rom. 8:23; Eph. 1:7; Titus 2:14).
3. Christ's work propitiated "ilastarion" or satisfied the wrath of God concerning the believer's unrighteousness and sins. This word is connected to the mercy seat or covering of the ark of the covenant in the most holy place (Lev. 16:14, Heb. 9:5; I John 2:2).
a. Before the cross, God was righteous in patiently passing by past sins because of the person's belief in God's ability to forgive (vs 25).
b. Since the time of Christ, God's pinnacle of full justice has been met and, therefore, now God has a way of declaring believers righteous and the world and unbelievers guilty (vs 26; Acts 17:31; I John 1:3-2:2).
4. Christ's work eliminates the possibility of human self-righteous boasting (vs 27-34).
Thought: What would you say to someone who said that, "God will let me be with him because I have done more good things than bad"?
II. In chapter 4, Paul proves from Old Testament Scriptures his previous points (Rom. 4:1-25).
A. Abraham was declared righteous by God on account of his faith apart from his works (vs 1-5; Gen. 15:6).
B. David has faith in Yahweh's righteousness by forgiving his sins apart from works (vs 6-8; Psalms 32:1,2; 2 Sam. 12:13).
C. Abraham's faith and justification was before both circumcision and the Law (vs 9-25).
1. Abraham was declared righteous at least 14 years before he was circumcised (vs 9-12; Gen 15:6, Gen. 17:10-13).
2. Circumcision was a sign and seal of Abraham's justification by faith (vs 11).
3. Abraham received the promise through faith, not through the Law (vs 13; Gal. 3:16-19).
4. Therefore, God made Abraham the father of all believers of every nation (vs 13-17a; Gen. 12:3 Gen 17:5).
5. Abraham still believed God's promise that a son (an heir) would be born even though he was close to 100 years old and Sarah was around 90 years old (vs 17b-19; Gen. 21:1-7).
6. The record of Abraham's justification through faith in Genesis 15:6 was written for all who would believe in Jesus (vs 20-25).
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