Romans Chapter Three
Lesson
46
God's Method of Salvation - Its Results! 3:27-31
1. It humbles man 3:27-28
Intro:
Focus
here is on a practical application of Justification by faith
where then is based on the previous
conclusions of the context, that salvation is a gift given freely by His grace;
and is actualized by faith.
Point of
the question: Where then is the basis
for glorying in our own supposed goodness and merit of some form of
works?? There is none folks!
- The
answer: It is excluded!
Aorist
indicative of evkkleiw declares that the work of Christ on the cross totally
excludes or shuts out man's boasting in anything related to salvation!
Reaffirms this with the next
question; By what kind of law? Of works?
Answer: NO, but by a law of faith.
- What is the law of works??
"Work
and you shall live!" but you have to work perfectly, keep the law standard
perfectly, no exceptions, because God requires nothing less than absolute
perfection.
- The law
of faith says, "Believe
and you shall live." Jn
The Contrasts
Faith Works
Justification by
faith
Justification by works
- is extrospective
(a turning away - is introspective (focused
on self)
from oneself)
- is self-renouncing - is
self-congratulating
- looks outside oneself - looks inside
oneself
- looks at God's works - looks at man's work
- glorifies God -
glorifies man
- results in a God-centered life - results in a man-centered
life
- begets true humility - begets pride
- is Theocentric - is
anthropocentric
For [oun] we maintain [logizomai]
used to indicate that he has calculated according to the facts and
arrived at a solid conclusion, that a man is justified [declared
righteous] by faith apart from works of the Law.
- apart from = cwrij = absolutely apart from; idea = exclusion; law keeping has absolutely no part in
salvation
3:29-30
Justification by Faith glorifies God
The question?? This law of faith, this faith principle does not apply to all men
does it?? Paul's reply here is an
emphatic yes!
The fact
that it applies across the spectrum, it knows no exceptions what so ever,
whether Jew or Gentile is not the issue! All have the need! All under sin!
When it
says, "since indeed God who will
justify" its in the future tense in
order to express God's permanent purpose related to justification.
He is
always ready to declare righteous the one who believes in Jesus Christ, always.
- This anticipated question flows logically, especially
for the Jew, out of his consistent stress in the context on fact that law
keeping does not justify one before God.
3:21-31
- "Do we
nullify the law through faith?" katarge,w
[pres.act.ind] to render of no
account/purposeless; to render inoperative/ineffective
- Paul counters it quickly with a very strong reply; mh. ge,noito
May
it never be! idea is by no means,
perish the thought; dont even think
such a thing
There is
a continuing role for the law, even though it has no part in justification, as
Paul has made very clear.
- How is the law established or confirmed? Why is it not
purposeless?
The law,
brings awareness of our great need, it shows us that we are sinners, and
therefore condemned.
- Must be on guard because there are many that would
attempt to have you as a believer even
today under the law as a means of living the Christian life. This is not valid either!
Romans
Chapter Four - Justification Illustrated
Introduction:
1. The Place of Chapter 4 in Romans
- Does God save one way in the time of the New Testament
and a different way during the OT period??
Emphatically no!
2. The Method that Paul uses is to present 2 case
histories
#1 is Abraham 4:1-5 his text Gen. 15:6.
#2 is David 4:6-8 his text is Psa. 32:1-2