Romans 3:21-31
Having a fear of God says something about the relationship we have with Him. We want to have a right and proper relationship with God, but how can we have that kind of relationship?
The Jews believed the way to a right relationship with God was through keeping the law, but who can perfectly obey all of the law? Of course, none of us can even come close to perfect obedience. If this was the end of the matter, we would live every day feeling isolated from God and without hope that our relationship with Him would ever change.
Paul helps us to understand God did not give the law to discourage us, but to make us aware of our sinfulness. We cannot justify ourselves to God, but Paul said “now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested.” He was saying that God’s plan, the Gospel, is to justify us to Himself.
The law was not a mistake and Paul was not saying Christians should have no regard for the law.
What he points out is that while the righteousness of God without the law was not specifically spelled out in the Old Testament, it was taught there. In Genesis 15:6, for example, we find the connection between belief and righteousness in these words about Abraham: “And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
Paul reiterated this when he wrote, “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe.” The “righteousness of God” is not referring to the nature of God, but rather it is about the gift our Father gives to all who believe in Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:23 marks the place all of us stand before God. All of us have sinned and because of our sins we “come short of the glory of God.” Whether we like to admit it or not, we are guilty in God’s eyes. We “come short of the glory of God” because we have an absolute need of His mercy.
Paul wrote we are “justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” God looks at us as if we had obeyed the law. He does this freely because it is a gift, and this gift comes to us by way of the redemption in Christ Jesus. We have been redeemed, or purchased out of captivity to sin.
God “set forth,” or displayed for all to see, His act of redemption in Christ. Paul used the word “propitiation” to explain what happened in Christ’s sacrifice for our sins. Propitiation refers to the ark of the covenant and its mercy seat which was a display of God reconciling Himself to the people.
In the Old Testament a sacrificed animal’s blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat. In the New Testament the blood of Jesus is shed for our sins, and we have forgiveness “through faith in his blood.” Jesus died very publicly on the cross to show mankind His “righteousness for the remission of sins.” He passes by, or forgives, all our sins. This was done “through the forbearance of God,” or due to God’s long-suffering with sinful man.
God has done everything to reconcile us to Himself since we are helplessly mired in sin. If there is any law by which we are saved, Paul wrote, it is the law of faith. It is only by faith in Christ Jesus that we have forgiveness of our sins.
The Sunday school lesson is written by Ed Wilcox, pastor of Centerville Baptist Church. He can be reached at [emailprotected].
FAQs
Justification declares those who were once sinners, and hopelessly lost, to be righteous before God, the Judge of all the earth. This was made possible through the blood of Christ. The Lord Jesus became "sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (II Corinthians 5:21).
Are we justified through the blood of Christ? ›
Therefore, since we are now justified (acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ's blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God.
What is the justification by blood in the Bible? ›
Romans 5:9 in Other Translations
9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 9 And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's condemnation.
What does it mean to be justified by Christ? ›
justification, in Christian theology, either (1) the act by which God moves a willing person from the state of sin (injustice) to the state of grace (justice), (2) the change in a person's condition moving from a state of sin to a state of righteousness, or (3) especially in Protestantism, the act of acquittal whereby ...
What does the blood of Jesus symbolize? ›
The blood of Christ was a compelling artistic symbol of his incarnation and sacrifice. As a theme for contemplation, it provided worshippers with a means to articulate their devotion.
What are the values of the blood of Jesus? ›
God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself; and it is through the blood of Jesus — that He manifests His pity, compassion, and infinite love now; and it is the manifestation of His pity, compassion, and love — which breaks our hearts, produces evangelical repentance, fills us with holy love, and so ...
Is the blood of Jesus sinless? ›
The blood of Jesus is sinless blood, and since it is sinless, it is incorruptible, for sin brings corruption, and where no sin is there is no corruption. Because it is sinless and incorruptible, every drop of blood from Jesus' body is still in existence, just as fresh as it was as it flowed when he was on the cross.
Why is Jesus blood sinless? ›
See also Matthew 1:18 and Hebrews 10:5. Christ's blood would have been sinless since it came to him through his father, God, rather than his natural mother, Mary. Consequently, Jesus' bloodline was perfectly pure and untainted by the effects of Adam's sin.
What is the biblical importance of the blood of Jesus? ›
The most important is that Jesus' blood is the only blood that can truly take away sins. All the sacrifices in the Old Testament foreshadowed Jesus' death on the cross for the sins of those who believe in him (Hebrews 10:1-4).
What is the most important characteristic of the blood of Jesus? ›
The cleansing power of the Lord's blood purifies our hearts from the inside out. Just as your blood carries away wastes from your system, Jesus' shed blood removes the filth of sin and uncleanness from your daily life.
The blood's radiation is what connects body to spirit and serves as a means of communication between the two. Any deficiencies in the blood's composition directly affect our spirit's ability to stay connected to our physical body.
How does the blood of Jesus sanctify us? ›
By His own blood Jesus sanctifies us, that we, holding nothing back, might surrender ourselves with all our hearts to the holy will of God. But consecration itself even along with and following separation is still only a preparation.
How is a person justified by God? ›
So, when does God justify a person? Paul writes in Romans 3:23-24, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption in Christ Jesus.” Consequently, justification occurs when a person accepts Jesus Christ.
How do you become justified by God? ›
You can become justified by believing in Jesus Christ as your Savior. If you trust in Him, you will receive His righteousness. Jesus will cover your sin with His righteousness. All your impurity will be made perfect through Christ because He lived a sinless, blameless life.
What is the difference between saved and justified? ›
Salvation means being saved and justification means being made right so when He forgives us of our sins He also makes us right before him. Be blessed. What is the difference between salvation and regeneration? Salvation is your “spiritual birthday” - the gift of God - planting His spiritual seed in your heart.
What does it mean to be sanctified by the blood of Jesus? ›
It is the setting apart or being made holy by and for God. This process is commonly known as sanctification. The Bible says it is for the elect through the blood of Christ. According to Hebrews 13:12, “So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.”
What is justification and what is its basis in salvation? ›
In justification, ungodly and guilty men and women are counted righteous before God (Rom. 4:5). This means that God forgives their sins and accepts them as righteous in His sight on the basis of the saving work of Jesus alone (Rom. 4:6–8).
What is justification and how is it related to salvation? ›
Salvation means being saved and justification means being made right so when He forgives us of our sins He also makes us right before him.
What is justification in order of salvation? ›
Justification occurs because the merits of Christ are imputed to those called through the means of faith, and because of Christ's merits, we are reckoned righteous before God. The final link in the chain is that those foreknown, predestined, called, and justified, are at last said to be glorified.
