How does God grow the Church? - message #3 - Justification by Faith

Justification by Faith

Romans 3:21-26

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This message is an exposition of the central passage on justification by faith. Justification by faith is crucial to an accurate understanding of Christianity and Scripture. The Protestant Reformation began because of the widespread false teaching concerning how one receives eternal salvation. Men rose up to defend Scripture's teaching of justification by faith. During that time Catholicism taught that men were justified by works. The Reformers boldly proclaimed justification by faith. Their battle cry was, Soli fide, Sola gratia, Sole deo gloria “by faith alone, by grace alone, to God alone by the glory.” Paul writes to teach the Romans that God has provided His righteousness for all who place their faith in Christ's payment for sins on the cross.

In this passage we are going to see 5 key truths that support the doctrine of justification by faith.

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#1 – Righteousness isn't received through human effort (21)

This is the first key truth of justification by faith. God's righteousness has nothing to do with the Law or good works. The Law reveals guilt, not righteousness (cf. v. 20). God's righteousness was foretold by the O.T. (cf. Gen. 15:6; Ps. 32:1-2; Hab. 2:4).

#2 – God's righteousness is received through faith in Christ's payment for sin (22)

God's righteousness is received through faith in Jesus Christ. Everyone who places his faith in Christ receives God's righteousness. This doesn't not refer to simply believing that Jesus existed or exists. It refers to faith in Christ's payment for sin.

#3 – Everyone is able to receive God's righteousness through faith in Christ's payment on the cross (23-24)

No one is excluded from receiving God's righteousness through faith in Christ because everyone has sinned and fallen short of God's standard. This means that no one is too good and no one is too bad to be saved through faith in Christ.

Everyone who places his faith in Jesus Christ is declared righteous (justified) free of charge (as a gift). This salvation is made available by God's grace (the unmerited favor of God). This righteousness (justification) is available only through the redemption that Christ provided on the cross. Redemption was a ransom payment given to free a slave. In this case Christ's payment provided a release from guilt, judgment, and sin's power.

#4 – Christ's payment on the cross satisfied God's wrath (25)

God provided Christ as a propitiatory sacrifice for sin. Christ's death (shed blood) satisfied God's the Father's wrath. Christ being the sinless Son of God was the perfect offering needed to pay for all of mankind's sin. Every person who accepts Christ's payment for sin by faith receives forgiveness of sin and receives God's righteousness credited to his account.

God provided Christ as a propitiatory sacrifice for sin to demonstrate His righteousness. God has previously refrained from fully judging the sin of mankind. This does not mean that the sins committed previously were forgotten nor forgiven before Christ paid for them on the cross. In the case of the O.T. Saints, they were already in heaven because they had trusted by faith in God's promises which they had during their lifetime. Christ's payment on the cross paid for their sins.

#5 – God declares righteous those that place their faith in Christ's payment for sin (26)

Christ's payment for sin on the cross demonstrates God's righteousness. God is just because He has punished sin through Christ. God is also the justifier of every person who places his faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sins. God declares that person righteous through faith in Christ.

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Here is a quick review of the 5 key truths that support the doctrine of justification by faith:

#1 – Righteousness isn't received through human effort (21)

#2 – God's righteousness is received through faith in Christ's payment for sin (22)

#3 – Everyone is able to receive God's righteousness through faith in Christ's payment on the cross (23-24)

#4 – Christ's payment on the cross satisfied God's wrath (25)

#5 – God declares righteous those that place their faith in Christ's payment for sin (26)

This is awesome truth. When a person places his faith in Christ's payment for sin on the cross here are two major results: forgiveness of sin; and being declared righteous. Your sins are forgiven and you receive Christ's righteousness credited to your account.