The Gospel Law & Grace

Please Stand. Turn to Romans 3:20-31.

“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.”

Romans 3:20-31 The Meeting of Justice and Mercy: An Examination of Grace and the Law

R OMANS 3:20 “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: – for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

Biblical Fact: It is impossible for any human being to be declared just or righteous before God by obeying His commandments.

M ARK 10:26-27 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

R OMANS 3:20 “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: – for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

R OMANS 3:21 “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets...”

R OMANS 3:21 “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets...”

C OMMENTARY The gospel is the good news that there is now a way for man to be found righteous before God in spite of the fact that man can’t obey the law in a way sufficient to be declared righteous.

Question: How then do I obtain this righteousness if it isn’t by keeping the law?

R OMANS 3:22 “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference...” Jew or Greek all obtain righteousness from God in the same way—faith in Jesus Christ. Jew or Greek all obtain righteousness from God in the same way—faith in Jesus Christ.

R OMANS 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God...” We all fall short!

R OMANS 3:24 “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus...” Three Key Words

T HREE K EY W ORDS Justified – Not Guilty – BUT Righteous Grace – Unmerited for those who deserve wrath Redemption – Payment of a ransom to obtain release

R OMANS 3:25 propitiation “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God...”

P ROPITIATION When Paul says that God presented Christ as the propitiation, he means that through the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ on the cross God’s wrath against our [my] sin has been averted and our [my] guilt has been removed. Hoekema

R OMANS 3:26 “To declare, I say, at this time his [Jesus’] righteousness...” Commentary The crucifixion of Christ was a public event for all to see the declaration or manifestation of the just dying for the unjust. The crucifixion of Christ was a public event for all to see the declaration or manifestation of the just dying for the unjust. now

Don’t do this: Bible Events Historical Events

M ATTHEW 27:4 Judas the Traitor “Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.”

M ATTHEW 27:34 Pilate “When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult [RIOT] was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.”

2 C ORINTHIANS 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

R OMANS 3:26 “To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”

The Cross of Christ Where Justice and Mercy Meet

R OMANS 3:27 “Where is boasting then? It is excluded.”

T ITUS 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost...”

R OMANS 3:28 “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Sola Fide: Faith Alone

G ALATIANS 2:16 “Knowing that a man is NOT justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

Life Application: Verse 31

R OMANS 3:31 “Do we then make void the law through faith?” What should my response to the grace of God be?

Follow-up Question: What role does the law of God play in YOUR life?

M Y RESPONSE TO THE LAW : “God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” On the contrary, we UPHOLD the law. On the contrary, we UPHOLD the law. How do we do that?

H OW DO WE UPHOLD THE LAW ? We look at the OT Law in light of what Jesus, our Prophet and King, taught and, we seek to apply the principles and spirit of the Word of God in the 21 st century in a non-legalistic way.

2 T IMOTHY 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness...”

Dual Application: Be Right. Live Right.

F OR E XAMPLE The Christian must not forget that Paul, the same author that gave us the great doctrine of justification by faith alone, also taught us to abstain from all appearance of evil. 1 Thess. 5:22

A PPLICATION Q UESTION : Is it possible for the church (or an individual) to overreact in a pendulum swing from perceived legalism regarding the law to the point that the law of God has little or no impact in the life of the Christian?

F OR E XAMPLE : With – The Mosaic Law’s instruction on adultery and premarital relationships, – Christ’s clarifying higher standard, and – Paul’s admonishment to flee fornication, all immorality and avoid the appearance of evil— How could people—saved by grace—not be concerned about the following:

Immodest Attire Inappropriate Contact Inappropriate Contact Coed Nakedness What they Watch or Lust After What they Watch or Lust After Their Thought Life Flirtatious Behavior Flirtatious Behavior Facebook/My Space Postings Hollywood Movies Hollywood Movies

N EVER F ORGET This is precisely what Christ attacked with the religious leaders, and He always – Clarified or – Redirected to a Higher Standard. “But I say unto you...”

A PPLICATION : F OR E XAMPLE Baptist Legalism says, “You can’t watch any movies at a ‘Hollywood’ theater.” Baptist Legalism says, “You can’t watch any movies at a ‘Hollywood’ theater.” BUT the proper application of the law in my life says, “I will not watch anything that my Lord and Savior disapproves of regardless of the rating system or where I watch it.”

A PPLICATION : F OR E XAMPLE Baptist Legalism says, “You must NOT smoke!” Baptist Legalism says, “You must NOT smoke!” everything But the proper application of the law says, “This body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and I must take care of it by closely monitoring everything that comes into my body.”

C ONCLUSION 1 Peter 2:24 – “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

C ONCLUSION The realization that I am saved by Grace through repentant faith in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ gives me the power and grace to obey the Law from a heart that is in love for God, motivated by HIS amazing love for me and a desire to listen to my only Prophet and obey Him as the King that He is!