#1627 Romans 5 Part 1 For A Good Man

 

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we boast in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not put to shame, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man, though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only this, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Romans 5: 1-11 LSB

Romans 5: 1-11

V. 1 Having been justified by faith - Therefore indicates that we are flowing off of the previous chapter, and in Romans 4:25 we left off with "25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification." 

 

Christ didn't die for a show, not for a sweet story, not because we were so loveable, no, quite the opposite, He chose to love us while we were sinners, and because He is holy, He did not put away justice but instead paid the price. It is mind boggling because the One receiving the injustice is Christ, the innocent One. So this justification is received by faith which we saw before is a gift from God, not because you were clever and figured something out. This faith gives us the power to believe that we have been justified not by our own works but because of the worthiness of Jesus, the One Who had to take on human flesh, because it was man who sinned, but who also had to be God, because it is God Who was the offended, and Who is eternally opposed to sin. So the object of your faith is Christ, believing that yes, I am a sinner, and yes, the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord because He was the sacrifice that was found expectable by the Father. Being justified means you are now in good standing with God because of Christ, and the evidence of this is that the Holy Spirit will work in you, convicting you of sin, bringing you to repentance, and being more and more conformed to the image of Christ.  

Haldane explains that "It is not by faith, abstractly considered, that we are justified, nor even by faith in everything that God reveals. It is by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Even this phrase itself, namely, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, is still elliptical, and supposes the knowledge of what is to be believed with respect to Christ. It is not believing in His existence, but believing on Him as revealed in the Scriptures, in His person and work. In the same manner as we have the phrase, “justified by faith,” we have the phrase, justified by the blood of Christ. As, in the former case, faith implies its object, so, in the latter, it is implied that we are justified by faith in the blood of Christ. The blood of Christ justifies by being the object of belief and of trust. (An Exposition on the Epistle to the Romans)

True faith that saves one's soul includes at least three main elements (1) firm persuasion or firm conviction, (2) a surrender to that truth and (3) a conduct emanating from that surrender. In sum, faith shows itself genuine by a changed life. (Click here for W E Vine's similar definition of faith) - PA

V. 2 Into this grace in which we stand - Remember, grace is unmerited favor, you can either believe in yourself, your own personal goodness, or believe in Christ, Who God accepts. 

…23so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. 24Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life. 25Truly, truly, I tell you, the hour is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.… John 5: 23-25

1Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, and in which you stand firm. 2By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,… 1 Corinthians 15: 1-3

Hodge explains that...

There is a joyful confidence expressed in these words, an assurance of ultimate salvation, which is the appropriate effect of justification. We are authorized and bound to feel sure that having been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, we will certainly be saved. This confidence is the only fitting response to the merit of his sacrifice and the sincerity of God’s love. It is not founded on ourselves or on the preposterous idea that we deserve the favor of God or the equally preposterous idea that we have in ourselves strength to persevere in faith or obedience. Our confidence is solely on the merit of Christ and the free and infinite love of God.

Although this assurance is the legitimate result of reconciliation, and its absence is evidence of weakness, in this, as in other respects, the actual state of the believer generally falls far short of the ideal. He always lives below his privileges and goes limping and stumbling when he should rise up with the wings of the eagle. But it is important for him to know that assurance is not an unbecoming presumption, but a privilege and duty. (Commentary on Romans) - PA

Vs. 3-5 We boast in our afflictions - There is a dangerous teaching now that attaches itself to Christian vocabulary, and it can be seen in Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, and charismatic circles especially, that teaches men that Christianity is a pyramid system, a means to prosperity. Joel Osteen is one apostate that comes to mind, writing books like "your best life now", and this is in no way my best life, no matter how good things may get here, my best life is in eternity with Christ. If this is your best life I feel sorry for you. Many of the prosperity teachers assume that people are suffering more than others because they lack "faith", see, a word from the Bible, but do they get it right? Remember Job, he was a man that loved God and that God said there was no one like him on the earth, but Satan asked to be able to hurt him to test this, and God allowed it. When Job had lost almost everything his own wife told him to curse God and die, but Job praised God sitting in the dirt covered in boils, having lost his children, his wealth, almost everything. Job's friends assumed his terrible state was because of some hidden sin, yet he was in better standing with God than them. It was the same with Paul when the "super apostles" tried sell their version of this nonsense back then. 

10Now I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. 12I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need.… Philippians 4: 10-12

V. 6 For while we were still weak - It wasn't our strength, but Christ's willingness to die.

…5“Do you not know what they are?” replied the angel. “No, my lord,” I answered. 6So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts. 7What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. Then he will bring forth the capstone accompanied by shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’ ”… Zechariah 4: 5-7

Vs. 7-8 While we were yet sinners Christ died for us - It pains me that I have made so light of my sin when I think about how futile it is. As if I know more than God, or see a better way than the One Who created everything that I understand so little of. I marvel at this because the apostle Paul is right, rarely will one die for a righteous man, and the Scripture is clear, there is none righteous, not even one. God, Who is infinitely opposed to sin, comes and dies for sinners. I have been in the corporate world for a long time now, and most people won't even stand up for someone that we consider good by our standards. God only owed us death in order for justice to prevail, yet He offers His Son in my place. In the place of someone who deserved to die according the standard of the One Who made and therefore owns everything, Christ came. If you aren't moved by that then you have a really low view of God, no comprehension of holiness, and a delusional, high opinion of your own goodness. You are in complete opposition to what God claims is reality, but Who is He compared to your genius? 

12This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are My friends if you do what I command you.… John 15: 12-14

Vs. 9-11 We boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ - I take no pride in myself but in God, and what He has done for me and through me.

Spurgeon comments...

OUR text begins with these words, “And not only so.” It is the second time in which they occur in the chapter (Ro 5:3), I might almost have said the third, for a similar expression is used in another verse. The apostle had been mentioning very great and amazing privileges; he had gone from great benefits to yet greater; he had advanced, I might say, from silver to gold, and from gold to the priceless crystal; and when he had reached the highest point that we could have thought to be conceivable, he adds, “And not only so.” There is always in Christian privilege a yet beyond. The ancient mariners spoke of the pillars of Hercules and the Ultima Thule, and they supposed that when once their sails had whitened the sea in that direction they had come to the end of the universe and could go no further; but, more venturous prows forced their way to a new world, and proved that the former boundaries were imaginary. Even so we may have concluded in the early days of our Christian experience that we never could be happier, that we never could enjoy greater privileges, that there could not be greater treasures than we had discovered; but even at this present we have pushed far beyond our young attainments, and are preparing for yet more far-reaching endeavours. We have not yet attained. Far be it from us to imagine that we are or have all that the Lord intends. Let us not sit down contented with the notion that the gospel contains no more, for rest assured, to him who is able to follow after it there are whole worlds of privilege yet to be discovered. We are only at the foot of the mountain as yet. We may take for our motto the words, “Higher, higher, higher,” and may soar aloft again and again on eagles’ wings, for heaven is higher than our loftiest flight. At the end of all we have known and experienced there may be written, “And not only so.” A nobler future allures us, a higher line of spiritual things invites us; let us by faith and patience press forward to it. The borders of Immanuel’s land have yielded us choice fruit, but the inner valleys are rich with Eshcol clusters, and the brooks in the heart of the country overflow with milk and honey.

The present passage indicates a high attainment in spiritual life, when the soul learns not only to rejoice in salvation—which is an early experience, or to rejoice in tribulation—which is a far riper fruit, but advances even beyond that, and learns to make her joy, her glory, and her boast in God, in God alone. “And not only so, but we joy in God.” There is the point of elevated experience of which the apostle speaks with such confident familiarity. It certainly touches the confines of heaven, if it be not altogether heaven. This is the joy of angels and of spirits purified from all stain; they joy in God. Yet this is an attainment possible to us here. I might confine my thoughts to that subject, but it might be for profit if I use the text in another way, embracing that thought and making it the main topic of discourse, but taking a somewhat wider range. My text seems to me to describe the progress of a soul towards God. There is the first step visible in it, though somewhat in shadow and rather implied than expressed. The second step is very clear; it is “receiving the atonement,” or more correctly “the reconciliation.” The third step shines in a yet brighter light; having received the reconciliation, “we joy in God” and so we complete our fellowship with Him, and ascend to an elevation which, if it be not in heaven, lies on the confines of it. (Amen, let it be so for every reader of Romans 5 dear Lord. Amen) (Romans 5:11 Joy in a Reconciled God - Pdf) - PA

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#1626 Romans 4 Part 2 The Promise

 

13 For the promise to Abraham or to his seed that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith has been made empty and the promise has been abolished; 15 for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no trespass.

16 For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be according to grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the seed, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all— 17 as it is written, “A father of many nations have I made you”—in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. 18 In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “So shall your seed be.” 19 And without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to do. 22 Therefore it was also counted to him as righteousness. 23 Now not for his sake only was it written that it was counted to him, 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be counted, as those who believe upon Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 He who was delivered over on account of our transgressions, and was raised on account of our justification. Romans 4: 13-25 LSB

Romans 4: 13-25

V. 13 But through the righteousness of faith - The law of Moses had not entered the picture yet. This does not remove the law of sin and death, for Abraham, as a child of Adam and Eve, like all of us, was born into sin. The law comes to point out the trespass, like a mirror or a measuring stick, it reveals our actual state as sinners. The Bible tells us that we are saved by grace, which is unmerited favor, through faith, which is the gift we are given that enables us to receive that grace. It is what is born in regeneration, the ability to see that I am a sinner, that there is a cure to be found in the gracious gift of God, and to trust in a righteousness belonging to another, Who is Christ. I don't have nor can I produce this righteousness, but faith allows me to believe that Christ's righteousness, and His sinless death, have been applied to my account.

1For the choirmaster. According to Mahalath. A Maskil of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their ways are vile. There is no one who does good. 2God looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God. 3All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.… Psalm 53: 1-3

Vs. 14-15 Faith has been made empty - Like we have been seeing, Abraham was before the law, he believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. You see a beautiful picture of this when Abraham cuts the animal in half, leaving a path for two people to walk through in a blood covenant, but Abraham never walks through with God, instead, he falls to sleep and God walks between the halves. This is a unilateral covenant, in that God is the upholder. He requires a righteous sacrifice and then provides it, just like in the picture on Mt. Moriah where Abraham offers up his son, Isaac, but God stops this sacrifice and provides a ram. The law brings more knowledge of sin and therefore more accountability, but it is powerless to save. The covenant that saves us is that God promised His Son a people, God walked the blood covenant with His Son, Who became the sacrificial Lamb, the One without spot. If God had no moral law then there would be no trespass, but the law assures us, our consciences assure us, that we say, "right and wrong", assures us that there is a law. The law is beautiful in that it tells me what is offensive to God, and through His grace He brings me to hate what He hates and to follow His word. 

…20I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God. For if righteousness comes through the law, Christ died for nothing. Galatians 2: 20-21

…2I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.” 4So Abram departed, as the LORD had directed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.… Genesis 12: 2-4

More on the Abrahamic Covenant

V. 16 In order that it may be according to grace - There are no works involved here, even faith is a gift so it should not be confused with something that one musters up from themselves, especially since an unrighteous humanity could never muster up anything not tainted by sin. Grace is unmerited favor, and so was the promise to Abraham and his ability to believe. 

…6This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life. 8This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.… Titus 3: 6-8

Vs. 17-19 Even God, Who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which did not exist - This shows you what salvation looks like. It shows you just what man contributes as well, death. "The wages of sin is death", and all have sinned so that's all they have to offer. It's incredible too, God changed his name from Abram, which means father of many, to Abraham, which means father of nations, and the guy hasn't been able to have a kid. God promises the seed through Sarah, Abraham's wife, and he has to be the laughing stock of the community at this point, so his wife comes up with a plan to help God out, to see if she is barren or Abraham is shooting blanks. She gives Abraham her maidservant Hagar, and they conceive a child together, but this isn't the way God promised. His wife isn't just barren, at the time she conceives Isaac she is ninety and past the time of her menstruation. God is bringing life from the dead womb of Sarah, just like He called Lazarus from the dead, and our salvation is no less magnificent than this. 

…18And Abraham said to God, “O that Ishmael might live under Your blessing!” 19But God replied, “Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. 20As for Ishmael, I have heard you, and I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He will become the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.… Genesis 17: 18-20

…3Then He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones come to life?” “O Lord GOD,” I replied, “only You know.” 4And He said to me, “Prophesy concerning these bones and tell them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 5This is what the Lord GOD says to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you will come to life.… Ezekiel 37: 3-5

…24For I will take you from among the nations and gather you out of all the countries, and I will bring you back into your own land. 25I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. 26I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.… Ezekiel 36: 24-26

…2He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs You are doing if God were not with him.” 3Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” 4“How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?”…

…5Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit. 7Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’…

…8The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 9“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and you do not understand these things?… John 3: 2-10

V. 20 Yet with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief - He wasn't always bold and confident with the faith that God gave him, but it grew in time. When a man doesn't have a son it is hard to believe that you will be the father of nations. So many circumstances arise that show us our bankruptcy, but it is in the words of God that Abraham and we must come to trust, regardless of the circumstances. God is sovereign, and He Who created the world from nothing can see you through to the end. 

Unbelief (570) (apistia from a = without + pistós = believing, faithful) (Click word study on apistia) means literally not believing = faithlessness, distrust, lack of belief. It describes an unwillingness to commit oneself to another or respond positively to the other’s words or actions. - PA

Abraham’s faith was not perfect, just as no believer’s faith is perfect. The first test he had to face was a famine in Canaan, and Abraham went to Egypt for help instead of to God. That disobedience put him in a compromising situation with the Pharaoh. He claimed that his beautiful wife was his sister, fearing that the Pharaoh might kill him in order to have her for himself. In so doing, Abraham dishonored the Lord and caused plagues to come upon the pharaoh’s family (Ge 12:10-17).Despite his spiritual imperfection, Abraham always came back to the Lord in faith, and the Lord honored that faith and continued to renew his promises to Abraham.

The Lord gave repeated assurances to Abraham, and Abraham responded in faith, which God “reckoned … to him as righteousness” (Ge 15:6). But again, when testing came, he relied on his own judgment rather than the Lord’s word. When Sarah was getting beyond normal childbearing age and remained barren, Abraham took her foolish advice and took matters into his own hands. He committed adultery with Hagar, Sarah’s maid, in the hope of having a male heir by her. But (as always happens with disobedience) his disobedient act backfired and again caused misery to the innocent (Ge 16:1-15). He also brought future misery to his own descendants, with whom the Arab descendants of Ishmael, the son by Hagar, would be in continuous conflict, as they are to this day.

Despite his spiritual imperfection, Abraham always came back to the Lord in faith, and the Lord honored that faith and continued to renew his promises to Abraham. God miraculously caused Sarah to bear a son in her old age, the son whom God had promised to give Abraham. And when the greatest test of all came, Abraham did not waver in his trust of the Lord. When God commanded him to sacrifice Isaac, the only human means through which the promise could be fulfilled, Abraham responded with immediate obedience, and God responded by providing a substitute for Isaac (Ge 22:1-18 Heb 11:17-19). As is always the case with true belief, the Holy Spirit enlightened Abraham’s mind and heart to recognize the true and only God, and enabled him to respond in faith. Abraham saw the Promised Land and wandered through it as a nomad, but he never possessed it. Even his descendants did not possess the land until more than a half century after the promise of it was first given. Just as Abraham trusted God’s word to give him a land he had never seen, he trusted God’s power to raise Isaac from the dead, if necessary by a divine miracle he had never seen. - PA

V. 21 Being fully assured - A confidence not in his own ability or resolve, but in that God had spoken. God had proven Himself worthy not only to believe as a Being, but also that He could and would do all He said. 

William Newell - What a blessed assurance of faith, resting wholly upon God's performance of what He had promised. How that puts us to shame! Since Abraham's day we have the written Word and Christ has come. Yet how often we doubt! (Romans 4) - PA

…2Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” 3Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases. 4Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.… Psalm 115: 2-4

V. 22 Therefore it was counted to him as righteousness - He believed. God said things and Abraham believed them.

John MacArthur makes the point that "It is not that faith merits salvation but that faith accepts salvation from God’s gracious hand. Through that acceptance comes the righteousness that only God can impart. (MacArthur, J: Romans 1-8. Chicago: Moody Press) -PA

Logizomai was a secular bookkeeping term which meant to make an entry in the account book or to put to one's account. It carried the economic and legal meaning of crediting something to another’s account. It means to calculate or reckon, as when figuring an entry in a ledger. The purpose of the entry is to make a permanent record that can be consulted whenever needed. It means that when you deposit $1000, the bank credits your account with $1000. Therefore when you write a check for $500, you don't worry about it because you are reckoning on the fact that money is actually in your account. The infinitely priceless treasure of Christ's perfect righteousness was credited to Abraham's spiritual bank account. - PA

Vs. 23-25 As those who believe upon Him Who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead - What a marvelous rendering of the gospel. God said that life would come from death, and Abraham doubted at first, like Nicodemus, "how can these things be?" God stoked that faith in Abraham to the point where He could tell him, "no, not your way, Abraham, but Mine," and it is the same for us today, not by our works, but Christ's, we believe in Him.

5“Lord,” said Thomas, “we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 7If you had known Me, you would know My Father as well. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.”… John 14: 5-7

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#1625 Romans 4 Part 1 Counted To Him As Righteousness

 

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about—but not before God! 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not counted according to grace, but according to what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes upon Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven,

And whose sins have been covered.

8 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.”

9 Therefore, is this blessing on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, “Faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness.” 10 How then was it counted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised; 11 and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be counted to them, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised. Romans 4: 1-12 LSB

Romans 4: 1-12

Vs. 1-3 Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness - It is the righteousness that comes by way of the vehicle of faith. Even that faith, which many fail to understand, because it is not derived or distilled from man. Faith is also a gift from God as we see in Ephesians 2:8, "for it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God." God owed Abraham the same thing He owes everyone in accordance with His sovereign and Holy nature, and that is death, the wages of sin. Abraham was a sinner and lost like every other man, but God came to him, made Himself known, proved His own self faithful even when Abraham lacked, and God brought Abraham not only to believe that there was a God, but to believe in the true God, and believe what He said, evidenced in Abraham's willingness to leave his own country and comforts for a heavenly promise he could not yet see. You see Abraham's faith grow throughout his life, tested, challenged and developed by God.

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise, 10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she regarded Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore there were born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been remembering that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now, they aspire to a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He prepared a city for them.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only son, 18 to whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” 19 He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he also received him back. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave commands concerning his bones. Hebrews 11: 8-22

V. 4 Not to the one who works - Like I always say, over and over again, because it is the first part of the gospel. God owes no man anything other than what is in accordance with God's own nature. He owes it to His own holiness that men receive the penalty of their sin, and still so to that holiness, if He so chooses to redeem, that He takes up the ledger and pays the debt Himself, through the perfect life and atoning work of His Son. No one is owed a perfect life here because we all fall short of the mark of His perfection and expectation. No one is owed eternal life because we all sin, and God, Who is the eternal being, is infinitely opposed to our sin. If we die in it, attached to it, in denial of His opposition to it, we should not be so surprised to find ourselves forever under the condemnation of His just wrath. Playing it down won't change His mind, finding some other human to agree with you won't change God's mind, and being that man or woman that plays down what God says to the ruin of other people, that is a scary thing. The Bible makes it clear that we are dead in our trespasses and sins, and so dead people do not raise themselves, do not do good works, so remind yourself of that, what does God owe you? There is massive confusion out there about faith, where people turn it into a work, and think of it as the means to get worldly gain, and they turn faith into the practice of positive thinking or the stupid new age enlightenment stuff you here from corporations or see when your scrolling through Linkedin, "visualizing and manifesting", hogwash and snake oil. People tell you to have faith in yourself, believe in the good of man, follow your heart, but that's the wisdom of this age, not God's wisdom.

Paul now uses a common illustration to amplify his point making it clear that the legal act of declaring a man righteous (justification) is completely apart from any kind of human work. If salvation were on the basis of one’s own effort, God would "owe salvation" as a debt—instead of righteousness being a gift of God’s grace to those who believe. Since faith is contrasted with work, faith must mean the end of any attempt to earn God’s favor through personal merit and this same principle applies to us once we have become believers. We are sanctified (our daily growth in grace and progress toward greater Christlikeness) by faith not by deeds we do in our strength. Nothing of the old flesh can please God Who is holy.

Although faith is required for salvation, it has no power in itself to save. It is the power of God’s redemptive grace alone, working through the atoning work of His Son on the cross, that has power to save. Note carefully that faith is not, as some claim, a type of work. Paul here makes clear that saving faith is completely apart from any kind of human works. - Precept Austin

…38Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. 40Watch out, then, that what was spoken by the prophets does not happen to you:… Acts 13: 38-40

…7But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. 8He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit. 9The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?…

…10I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve. 11Like a partridge hatching eggs it did not lay is the man who makes a fortune unjustly. In the middle of his days his riches will desert him, and in the end he will be the fool.” Jeremiah 17: 7-11

9So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. 10 All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”…

…12The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” 13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” 14He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.… Galatians 3: 9-14

Vs. 5-8 Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven - Paul continues to make his argument for justification by faith by pointing out to another of their OT heroes who needed grace. David sinned, was disciplined by God and forgiven by God. He stood in contrast to King Saul, in that David had a repentant heart, confessed his sin and sought to be brought back into communion with God the Father. Saul only cared what people thought and was more worried about an earthly kingdom. He wanted respect for his title regardless of his actions, and even sought to murder David, and David differed in that he found brokenness before a Holy and just God.  

…18Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion? 19He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea. 20You will show faithfulness to Jacob and loving devotion to Abraham, as You swore to our fathers from the days of old.… Micah 7: 18-20

…10Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11Cast me not away from Your presence; take not Your Holy Spirit from me. 12Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit.… Psalm 51: 10-12

Vs. 9-10 But while uncircumcised - They forget, Abraham was the beginning of all of this, God called him out of a pagan world and made him a promise before the seal of circumcision was given. 

11Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision (that done in the body by human hands)— 12remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.… Ephesians 2: 11-13

Comment: The question of a physically circumcised Jew becoming uncircumcised strikes us as somewhat ridiculous but Josephus describes this practice writing "they (Jews who sought the favor of the Greek ruler Antiochus) desired his (Antiochus') permission to build them a Gymnasium at Jerusalem (thus emulating Greek culture - gyms were "big" with the Greeks). And when he had given them leave they also hid the circumcision of their genitals, that even when they were naked (Greeks exercised in the nude in the "gyms"!) they might appear to be Greeks. Accordingly, they (the compromising Jews) left off all the customs that belonged to their own country, and imitated the practices of the other nations (the Gentiles)." (Ant 12.241)

Paul adds in his letter to the Galatians…

For in Christ Jesus (the key word is "in" - when by grace through faith we who were in Adam [cp Ro 5:12-note] are placed forever in Christ - cp 1Co 15:22) neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything (external acts/rites are immaterial and worthless, unless they reflect genuine internal righteousness - i.e., they are supernaturally motivated by a desire to please God and not by a fleshly futile attempt to merit His favor), but faith working through love (Saving faith proves its genuine character by works of love cp Ro 13:10-note). (Gal 5:6)

While he was circumcised or uncircumcised? - Paul does not leave this question open for debate but answers that it was while he was uncircumcised, which is a physical state the Jews equated with the "goyim" or the "Gentile dogs"! This was the state of their physical ancestor Abraham, whether they like it or not, or whether they accept it or not. It is an indisputable fact! - PA

Vs. 11-12 But who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised - Faith preceded the sign of circumcision. We enter the realm of Ritual vs. Reality, and we all need to ask ourselves this question: what is our hope based upon, faith in the promise of God or in some ritual or rite that we participated in? I would ask those who baptize infants, what did that infant believe, what are you hoping for in this? Does God owes us for removing our foreskin; does he owe you for crying after a presentation of the Passion and then walking forward with your feet and saying a prayer with your lips? I would say He only owes Himself, His own integrity, and He has promise His Son a redeemed people even before there were people, before time and space existed. I believe He will make good on that promise through the meritorious and atoning work of His Son and no other. To even think you can earn an ounce of God's favor is blasphemous. Jesus did it all, all to Him I owe, like the song says, sin has left a crimson stain, and He washed it white as snow. 

…28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3: 28-29

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#1624 Romans 3 Part 4 Au Contraire

 

21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith, for a demonstration of His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

27 Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since indeed God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that faith, is one.

31 Do we then abolish the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law. Romans 3: 21-31 LSB

Romans 3: 21-31

Now, as we approach this, a little bit of an introduction. Job, that very early book, no doubt describing a man who lived in the patriarchal period, the period of the Pentateuch. Job, that righteous man, that man who was commended by God for his faith, asked the most important question that any person can ever ask. It is posed in chapter 9 of Job and verse 2. And this is the question that Job asked, “How can a man be right with God?” That is the most compelling question. How can a man be right or be in the right before God?

And then he goes on to show why this is such a dilemma. Verse 3, “If one wished to dispute with Him, he could not answer Him once in a thousand times. Wise in heart and mighty in strength, who has defied Him without harm? It is God who removes the mountains, they know not how, when He overturns them in His anger; who shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble; who commands the sun not to shine, and sets a seal on the stars; who alone stretches out the heavens and tramples down the waves of the sea; who makes the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, and the chambers of the south; who does great things, unfathomable, and wondrous works without number.

“Where He to pass by me, I wouldn’t see Him; were He to move past me, I wouldn’t perceive Him. Were He to snatch away, who could restrain Him? Who could system to Him, ‘What are You doing?’

“God will not turn back His anger; beneath Him crouch the helpers of Rahab. How then can I answer Him, and choose my words before Him? For though I were right, I could not answer; I would have to implore the mercy of my judge. If I called and He answered me, I could not believe that He was listening to my voice. For He bruises me with a tempest and multiplies my wounds without cause. He will not allow me to get my breath, but saturates me with bitterness. If it is a matter of power, behold, He is the strong one! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon Him? Though I am righteous, my mouth will condemn me; though I am guiltless, He will declare me guilty.”

This is like Paul saying, “Even when I know nothing against myself, herein am I not justified. I can’t bring my case before God.”

Here is a man – namely Job – with a sense of his lostness; with a sense of his smallness; with a sense of his guilt, his emptiness, his meaninglessness; fearing death, dreading punishment at the hands of a holy God who cannot successfully make his case even when he says, “I’ve searched out my life, and I can’t see anything of continuing sin. I know that I am not, by my own perception, thereby justified because my own perception is so limited.

How should a man be in the right with God? How do you become right with God? God is holy, and God is a judge, and God punishes sinners, and God punishes the guilty who are sinners. How can that change? How can a man be right with God and particularly a God like this, a God who is so vastly beyond me?

And, of course, as you heard, Job goes through the litany of all the things that are true about the massiveness of God. How can I, this frail, weak, unimportant individual, establish righteousness before such a great and glorious and holy God? How can I, therefore, escape His judgment?

That, by the way, is the basic question that every religion tries to answer. That is the basic question that every religion tries to answer. Every religion is trying to answer the question, “How do I escape the judgment of God and get into the place of favor from God” – whatever god is the god of that religion – “and end up in the right place when I die?” That is the universal question which religion universally attempts to answer.

And so many suggestions are made. But all religions, of all types and all kinds basically give the same answer. You achieve that rightness. You get it by your attention to being a good person and performing the necessary religious rituals, and rights, and practices, and ceremonies.

In every case, you get in the right with God by something you do. Now, they will all admit that God is kind, to some degree. At least he will allow you the opportunity to try to do that. And in varying religions, the kindness of God is more or less a large part of our efforts. But in the end, all human religions come up with the same thing: you work your way in.

But the Bible clearly demonstrates and confirms that nobody will ever be made right with God like that. No one. No one is going to escape judgment and enter into blessing. No one is going to go from being under the disfavor of God into the favor of God by their own efforts, by his own effort or her own effort.

So, if we are to find a way to be right with God, it isn’t going to be found in us. It isn’t going to be found in the religions that we invent. If there is a way to be right with God, then God’s going to have to determine that way, because He’s the one that’s been offended. And therein lies the dilemma which all religion attempts to answer. Paul has clearly shown, starting in chapter 1 all the way through chapter 3, verse 20, where we ended last time, that no one can be right with God on the basis of human effort. That’s how verse 20 ends that whole section, by saying, “By the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight.” Nobody will be right with God by means of the deeds of the flesh. That is keeping of God’s moral law or any kind of ceremonies. In fact, all the human race falls short. They are all under sin. Chapter 3, verse 9, “Jews and Greeks are all under sin.” And Romans 1:18, “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all unrighteousness.” So, all are unrighteous, all are under sin, and therefore all are under judgment, and no one has the capacity in himself to change that situation no matter how moral he may attempt to be or how religious. That’s the condemnation of the opening chapters. - J Mac

V. 21 But now apart from the law - This is a transition from where we previously left off, where Paul told us that, "by the works of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin." The law was not given to man as a means to be justified, that is an impossibility for fallen man, remember, dead in trespasses and sins, at enmity with God, needs to be brought to life, born again. I remember cutting tile for our house a long time ago, and so I took a measurement, cut a tile, and dry tested it to make sure it fit. Not being much of a craftsmen, carpenter or handy man, but always loving efficiency (short cuts), I went ahead and cut the whole run for that wall, only to find that each tile moved further from the wall. I checked the tiles and they all measured the same, and looking at the wall it seemed straight to my eye, but there was almost two inches difference from one end of the wall to the other. My eyes weren't the best judge, and when I pulled out a straight edge and an angle, I found that there wasn't an actual 90 on any corner of the house. The law was a straight edge, it showed men that they are crooked, but it was powerless to correct this. It was the measure.

John MacArthur - Because they capitalize Law in this passage, it is evident that the translators of the New American Standard Bible understood nomos to refer to God’s divine revelation, either in the narrower sense of the Mosaic law or the wider sense of the entire Old Testament. But I believe that in this passage Paul primarily has in mind the sense of legalism, of men’s attempt to become acceptable to God by means of their own human efforts." (Ed note: Greek does not have the definite article modifying "law" and it would tend to support Dr. MacArthur's interpretation) (See Romans Commentary)

As discussed below, even apart from the law, the Pentateuch clearly taught that righteousness has always been credited, reckoned or imputed by personal faith. The prototypical example of course is Abraham's justification by faith (Ge 15:6), which was apart from the law for the Law wasn't even given until 400 years later. - PA

Vs. 22-23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God - We all share the same parents and we all share the same curse, so we all need Someone to pay the debt of sin in our place, to live a life that is pleasing to God, and to sanctify us in repentance. There is no distinction here, no one who needs less because their sins weren't a big enough deal. This is a universal declaration.

…15We who are Jews by birth and not Gentile “sinners” 16 know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. 17But if, while we seek to be justified in Christ, we ourselves are found to be sinners, does that make Christ a minister of sin? Certainly not!… Galatians 2: 15-17

…19Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city. 20Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. Ecclesiastes 7: 19-20

…8If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.… 1 John 1: 8-10

V. 24 Being justified as a gift by His grace - God gifted us with Jesus in order to gift us to Jesus. It was free to us, but not free in the sense that it cost God greatly. Jesus took on human nature, was born as a man, lived a life that was pleasing to God, among a people that were abhorrent, namely us, and then died in our place so that the elect (those who would believe) could be reborn and reconciled to God. Remember, God is Holy, so He doesn't just wave off sin like it didn't happen, no, if He is going to redeem then He pays the redemption price. 

…9Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, 10nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.… 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11

…7in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not by works, so that no one can boast.… Ephesians 2: 7-9

Vs. 25-26 For in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed - The ability of our forefathers to continue on, to breathe in the air of this world was based upon the promise of Christ coming to pay for the sins committed. It didn't end in the garden solely because of the God's redemptive plan that He made with His Son and the Holy Spirit from eternity. 

…18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot. 20He was known before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sake.… 1 Peter 1: 18-20

Vs. 27-30 Justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that faith - Abraham was called before the law, but it was his faith not circumcision that made him a friend of God. Moses gave Israel the law, but as we saw that was only the measuring stick, for no one was found righteous according to God's law. Of those who are saved, both Jews and Gentiles, it is by grace (unmerited favor) alone, through faith (a gift enabling us to believe) alone, in Christ alone, understood by the Scriptures alone. 

…7Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. 8 The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.… Galatians 3: 7-9

V. 31 On the contrary, we establish the law - Because the law was just it required Someone Who could keep it to pay for those who didn't. It is good so it begs for justice. It was like the tablets that Moses was carrying down from the mountain. He through them down and broke them, because the law had been broken yet again, even after the people had promised to keep it, to do what was in the law so they could live. The broken stone tablets did not remove the law, did not remove the righteous requirements of God, and so the law of the eternal God still stands. Death is proof of God's Holiness and His intentions towards sin. His punishment of those who carried His oracles, His punishment of His own servant, Moses, not letting him into the promised land, is a testimony to God's righteousness and the goodness of His law. Let those who twist Scripture, who take the literal and remove it's simple and clear meaning, leading men astray, let them be silenced and let the measuring stick be preached once again. It is the first part of the gospel, that which shows us the condemnation that we are under, let us see it and be moved by the Holy Spirit to repentance. 

15Then Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back. 16The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets. 17When Joshua heard the sound of the people shouting, he said to Moses, “The sound of war is in the camp.”… Exodus 32: 15-17

…8How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the Law of the LORD is with us,’ when in fact the lying pen of the scribes has produced a deception? 9The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have? 10Therefore I will give their wives to other men and their fields to new owners. For from the least of them to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; from prophet to priest, all practice deceit.… Jeremiah 8: 8-10

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