Romans 3

Basic Christianity: Justification

The first three in a series of 16 studies through Paul’s letter to the Romans (#3)

Mark Dever

12/22/02

 

      Awkwardness is one of the experiences of the human life.  We have all experienced the awkwardness of receiving an unwanted or puzzling Christmas gift.  You hold the unopened gift in your hands, not knowing the delicate social task that lies before you.  And when the giver is present, watching every blink and grin on your face, the stakes are higher. 

      Many feel this awkwardness with God’s gift of Christ.  We all need him, but we don’t understand why.  God is wrapped in a manger and it confuses us.  We’re not sure what he’s for or if we already have one.  Why was Jesus given to us?  So that we could be justified. Now, you can’t assume that people know this.  People don’t believe they need to be justified to anyone and they don’t know what they need to be justified for.  They are confident—they think God will approve of them.  They think God’s love for creation will exceed His love for Himself.  Let’s turn to Paul’s letter to Romans, chapter three, to look at the reasons for justification.

      There are three reactions to the news that we all need justification.  They are ‘no idea,’ ‘no problem,’ and ‘no way.’ 

     

I. No Idea (v. 1-8)

      Some may have been confused by Paul’s internalization of the law in chapter two.  Paul’s words here are so radical that some may have been asking: can we know God at all?  To them, Paul’s argument nearly eliminates God’s special revelation.  The Jews are shell-shocked after the first two chapters of Romans.  They must have been asking (and Paul is responding to these probable questions) Has God done nothing for a particular people?  Can we really know God? 

      Paul says this is not true—the Jews have the Law.  Faithlessness on the part of the Jews does not render God unfaithful.  You’ve been in situations with people when you tell them something they don’t want to hear and then they repeat it back to you more strongly: ‘You can’t use that right now,’ returns to you as ‘you never let me use anything, ever.’ That’s the case with the reaction to Paul here.  He is not saying the Law is pointless.  The Jews do have an advantage—they have been trusted with the Words of God. 

      We should not discount the benefit of God’s revealing Himself.  Our lives should provoke curiosity in others about the nature of God.  Our lives should tell of God’s actions.  Is God trustworthy if we don’t trust Him?  Does our faithlessness diminish God’s faithfulness?  No.  Human unbelief in the Word doesn’t diminish it’s veracity.  Does our unfaithfulness enhance God’s faithfulness?  No—this is a common argument used to shed responsibility and to attempt to exculpate ourselves of sin. Doesn’t the end justify the means?  If God brings a good result, why should we care about the stuff leading up to the result?  Paul stops here and takes up this line of reasoning again in chapter nine.  Right now he simply recognizes these ideas as Satanic—excuses for sin. 

      What excuses have you brought with you?  That you didn’t know it was wrong?  That you don’t think God will care?  Are you here to make a fresh start?  Then begin by seeing sin as God does.  Repent of your sins and turn from them.  Christians: you know our hearts are excuse factories.  We may be a little slow at our work, but should be fast when we’re convicted of our sins to repent.  When you’re being criticized, shut your mouth.  Listen carefully and find the truth in the criticism.  Be aware of how liable you are to make excuses—as if God could be fooled. 

      While the work of apologetics will never end, it will never save anyone.  The barrier to Christ is never finally an intellectual question.  It is always an objection to the Lordship of God in your life.  Ignorance is not an excuse.

 

II. No Problem (v. 9-20)

      If God has given us His Word, say the Jews, we must be in fine shape.  No, Paul says.  Possession of the Law does not take care of sin.  It did not automatically make the Jews ‘okay,’ especially when they merely possessed the law instead of obeyed it.

      What makes you think you’re in a better position than other people?  Your race, your gender, your moral standards, your job, your wealth?  If you think this, then it is not surprising that you don’t understand God’s gift of Jesus.  You must understand your need before you can understand God’s gift.  Your most loved, brilliant, or religious friend is under sin.  May this encourage humility in the thoughts of ourselves and boldness in our evangelism.  Do you have the urgency and conviction that comes with this knowledge?  Paul proves our need for Christ from Scripture in verses 10-18.  Notice two things about sin from this passage:

      A. Sin extends to everyone

      Look at all the words used here: ‘no one,’ ‘all,’ ‘not even one.’  We are all sinful—there is not a culture, time, or ethnic group that is not sinful.  There are no excuses and no exceptions.

      B. Sinfulness is total

      It affects every part of us—every thought, word, and deed.  NO one seeks God and no one fears God. 

      The essence of sin is godlessness, or, put another way, God-against-ness.  It’s not just that you were selfish or drunk or arrogant—it’s that you have commandeered God’s creation for your own purposes for use against His purposes.  This is sin.  Your life is final proof that you are against God by nature. 

      It is essential to understand all this.  Christ only deals with the morally and spiritually bankrupt.  God is not a consultant, a co-pilot, or a partner.  We are completely dependent on Him in every possible way.  This is the conclusion of Paul’s initial argument—the whole world is full of sin.  No one is justified by the Law.

      Don’t put morality in the place where Jesus is supposed to be.  Morality cannot shield you from God.  While morality accompanies salvation, it does not bring it.  The point of the Law is not to make people better but worse.  It drives them to Christ and confirms our intuition that we’re not okay.  All who obey the Law will be justified.  How many obey?  None.  You have does this.  Do you see your complete need for Him? 

 

III.  No Way (v. 21-31)

      Both the religious and irreligious are shocked by Paul’s conclusion in verse twenty.  Yet the great good news of Christianity is written in verse 21.  God has made a way through Christ.  Through faith in Christ, we can be justified.  These verses are the heart of the Bible—perhaps the single most important paragraph written.  ‘But now.’  Did ever two words have such hope?  Notice four things about this paragraph.

      A. God’s righteousness (v. 21-22).

      Our justification is rooted in God’s righteous character, which was revealed in the ministry of Christ.

      B. Our faith (v. 22)

      How do we receive the benefits of God?  By having faith in Jesus.  It is not through doing good things that we receive righteousness.  Christ died to be the penalty for our sins.  We must repent of our sins and trust in Him to receive forgiveness and newness of life.  It is by faith in Christ that we are saved.

      C. Our salvation (v. 23-25)

      God justifies—he declares us righteous.  We have all fallen short and yet are justified freely.  We are not just forgiven of our sins, but we have been declared righteous.  Redemption, a part of salvation, is written of in verse 24.  We are freed from sin, from the penalty of sin and the power of sin.  How?  Christ’s sacrifice redeems us.  Propitiation is also a part of salvation.  The wrath of God is assuaged—God is reconciled to us.

      D. God’s character (v. 25-26)

      See God’s love in verse 25.  This is the Christmas present that we all need.  Christ willingly gave up His life, but we should not think that a loving Christ prevailed upon a wrathful God to ease His anger.  No, this was God’s plan.  This is God’s demonstration of His love and righteousness. 

      You are not called to give money or to be nice to people.  You are called to believe in Christ and trust in Him.  You must come to terms with the Cross and what it tells you about yourself and about God.

      In verse 27 we see that the Jews and the Gentiles are justified by the same faith.  The way for forgiveness and a relationship with God is Christ.  This is the only way.  There are not other ways or many ways.  What a great gift.  Do you see the need of Christ’s gift?  Pray that you would know and understand this.  What an indescribable present.