The Provision of Justification by Faith, The doctrine of justification by faith is the most important and crucial doctrine for Christian believers. Paul explains this in Romans 3:21-31. He says that a Jew and a Gentile are justified by faith alone in Christ alone.
GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS REVEALED – ROMANS 3:21-23
Throughout the Bible, people have tried to earn their way into God’s favor. They have hoped to win His favor by following the law and doing the right thing.
But in this passage Paul makes clear that such things do not work.
He tells us that the righteousness of God is manifest in a way that lies open to view and can be seen by men.
It is this kind of righteousness that is not possible to earn, but is credited or reckoned to those who trust in Christ.
This righteousness was not revealed for the first time, but it is now openly presented in Christ’s incarnation and His sacrificial death on Calvary.
This was the kind of righteousness that God desired for His chosen people, a reverential fear and devotion that would be eternal and all-inclusive. It was this kind of righteousness that was to be revealed in the OT.
GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS EXPLAINED – ROMANS 3:24-26
The OT Law and the prophets foretold (witnessed) to Israel of a coming Messiah, Who would be the sin bearer and sacrifice. This incarnate Savior was to be the means of atonement and forgiveness for all who believe in Him.
But He was not just a mere human being like us; He was a perfect Man, completely righteous. This was fully revealed and demonstrated at the cross when He offered His sacrificial death as the perfect and enduring payment for all our sins.
Paul explains that this righteousness is made available to all who have sinned, without exception, and on the same terms. This righteousness is not based on religious observance, keeping commandments, performing good works or any other activity which men try to achieve by their own efforts.
This statement is a strong adversative indicating that the bad news of guilt and condemnation which merits God’s wrath is replaced by the good news of His undeserved mercy, grace and provision for a righteous life through faith in Jesus Christ. This is the gospel!
IMPLICATIONS OF GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS – ROMANS 3:27-31
ROMANS 3:27-31 describes the impressive and unheard of revelation that God’s righteousness has been made known by one man in the form of Jesus Christ. He was the ultimate sin-bearer and the savior of the world.
The most impressive of all is the fact that this glorious display of God’s goodness and mercy has been made available to all, irrespective of race, creed or culture. It’s a great news for the uninitiated, but it is even more exciting to those already in Christ.
What is not as well-known is that this most magnificent display of God’s generosity and love was not a one-time event but has been going on for some time now, a fact Paul makes clear throughout the book. The most important thing to understand here is that while we may have a legal relationship with God, He has not given us the ability to earn His favor through our own works or merits.
CONCLUSION
In Romans 3:21-31, Paul demonstrates that justification is not by works of the law. It is by faith alone.
Moreover, he points out that he is the God of Gentiles also, so they are justified by faith too. This implies that it is not a matter of distinctions between Jews and Gentiles, but a matter of salvation for all people..
