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Romans

Chapter3

Romans3:1-2“ThenwhatadvantagehastheJew?Orwhatisthevalueofcircumcision?Muchineveryway.Tobeginwith,theJews

wereentrustedwiththeoraclesofGod.”

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TheJewishAdvantage•  PaulhadbeenbuildinganargumentthatbothJewsandgentiles

wereguiltybeforeGodandthatGodjudgesimpartiallyregardlessofaperson’sraceoraperson’sculturalbackground.

•  ThequestiontheniswhatadvantagehastheJew?•  Paulsaysmuchineverywaybutonlylistsoneofthe

advantagesofbeingJewishhereinchapterthreewhichisthattheJewswereentrustedwiththeoraclesofGod.

•  Laterinchapter9,Paulwilllist8moreadvantagesofbeingJewish:Theyhavetheadoption,theglory,thecovenants,thelaw,theworship,thepromises,thepatriarchs,andfromtheJewscameJesusChrist(Romans9:4-5).

TheOraclesOfGod•  TheJewswereentrustedwithveryWordofGodmeaningthattheOldTestamentandtheMessianicprophesiestheyforetoldweretheveryutterancesofGodgiventotheJewstobepastdownfromgenerationtogeneration.

•  “…whatgreatnationistherethathasagodsoneartoitastheLORDourGodistous,wheneverwecalluponhim?Andwhatgreatnationisthere,thathasstatutesandrulessorighteousasallthislawthatIsetbeforeyoutoday?Onlytakecare,andkeepyoursouldiligently,lestyouforgetthethingsthatyoureyeshaveseen,andlesttheydepartfromyourheartallthedaysofyourlife.Makethemknowntoyourchildrenandyourchildren’schildren”-Deuteronomy4:7-9

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•  TobeentrustedwiththeveryWordofGodhighlightsthegoalofGodfortheJewstoteachHisWord,tokeepHisWord,andtoshareHisWord.

•  “MayGodbegracioustousandblessusandmakehisfacetoshineuponus,thatyourwaymaybeknownonearth,yoursavingpoweramongallnations.Letthepeoplespraiseyou,OGod;letallthepeoplespraiseyou!Letthenationsbegladandsingforjoy,foryoujudgethepeopleswithequityandguidethenationsuponearth.Letthepeoplespraiseyou,OGod;letallthepeoplespraiseyou!”-Psalm67:1-5

•  Unfortunately,theJewishpeopleasanationbecamepridefulandbegantothinktheywereprivilegedforhavingtheWordsofGodbutdidnotseethemselvesasobligatedtokeepHisWordsintheirheart.

•  ApersoncanhaveaBibleonthedashboardofhiscaroronthenightstandathishomebutitdoesn’tmakehimaChristianunlesstheWordofGodisbelievedandimpactsthecoreofhisverybeing.

Romans3:3-4“Whatifsomewereunfaithful?DoestheirfaithlessnessnullifythefaithfulnessofGod?Bynomeans!LetGodbetruethougheveryonewerealiar,asitiswritten,‘Thatyoumaybejustifiedinyourwords,andprevail

whenyouarejudged.’”

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LackofBelief•  TheoracleshadbeengiventotheJewishnationbutbecausetheyfailedtobelieveGod’sWorddoesitmeanthatGodisunfaithful.

•  Inotherwords,GodmustberesponsibleinsomewayofnotcommunicatingHiswordclearlyenoughforpeopletoturnandbelieveinthegospelmessageandbefaithfultoHimintheirwalk.

•  Man’sunfaithfulnessdoesnotnullifyGod’sfaithfulnessinfactourunfaithfulnessonlyenhancesHiscommitmenttodemonstrateHisloveanddeterminationtoshowusthetruth.

•  God’sfaithfulnessisnotdependentuponmanfulfillingourendofthebargain.

•  GodmadeacovenantwithAbrahamandwhenHecouldnotfindanyonegreaterthanHimselftoswearby,HesworebyHimself,Hebrew6:13-19.

•  ThatiswhyPaulsaysin2Timothy2:13,thatevenwhenmenarefaithlessGodremainsfaithfulbecauseGodcannotdenyhimselforHisverynature.

•  God,Whocannotlie,madeapromisewithhimselfconcerningmanthatHewillaccomplishHispurposeforman,HewillaccomplishHispurposethroughman,andHewillaccomplishHispurposeregardlessofman.

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ManistheLiar•  “Itisastrange,strongexpression;butitisnonetoostrong.If

Godsaysonething,andeverymanintheworldsaysanother,Godistrue,andallmenarefalse.Godspeaksthetruth,andcannotlie.Godcannotchange;hisword,likehimself,isimmutable.WearetobelieveGod’struthifnobodyelsebelievesit.ThegeneralconsensusofopinionisnothingtoaChristian.HebelievesGod’sword,andhethinksmoreofthatthanoftheuniversalopinionofmen.”-Spurgeon,Charles

•  Thatyoumaybejustifiedinyourwords,andprevailwhenyouarejudgedwasDavid'stestimonytoGod'sfaithfulnessafterDavid'sownunfaithfulness.

•  Davidhadsinnedagainsthimselfandhisfamily.DavidhadsinnedagainstBathshebabystealingherhonoramongthepeople,DavidhadsinnedagainstUriahforadulterywithhiswifeandthentakinghislife.DavidhadsinnedagainstthenationofIsraelbecausehissincausedtheirdefeatinbattle.

•  NoticetheprayerofDavid,“Againstyou,youonly,haveIsinnedanddonewhatisevilinyoursight,sothatyoumaybejustifiedinyourwordsandblamelessinyourjudgment.”-Psalm51:4

•  “Onething…atthemomentofhisdeepestdistressDavidacknowledgesthathislowly,penitentialpositionisinitselfaconfessionthattherehadbeennofailureinGod.DavidtooksideswithGodagainsthimself.Thismustbethepositionofanyonewhoisgoingtobesaved…SoPaulrepudiateswithindignationthethoughtthattherewasanylackinGodbecauseoftheinconstancyofman.”-Barnhouse,DonaldGrey

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GodisFaithful•  FaithfulnessisoneoftheattributesofGodthatdisplayshis

trustworthinessbasedonhisunwaveringcommitmenttohispeopleandHisWord.

•  “Godisnotman,thatheshouldlie,orasonofman,thatheshouldchangehismind.Hashesaid,andwillhenotdoit?Orhashespoken,andwillhenotfulfillit?”-Numbers23:19

•  WhentheBiblespeaksofGodbeingfaithfulitmeansHeistotallytrustworthy.Heis100percentperfectlyfaithfulandcanbetrustedtoaccomplishHispurposesintheworldandinourlivesindividually.

•  “LORD,YouaremyGod;IwillexaltYou,IwillgivethankstoYourname;ForYouhaveworkedwonders,plansformedlongago,withperfectfaithfulness.”-Isaiah25:1

•  TheLordisfaithfullyaccomplishingtheworkHebeganuponourheartandoursoulandHeiscarryingthatgoodworktoitsultimatecompletion.

•  “Iamsureofthis,thathewhobeganagoodworkinyouwillbringittocompletionatthedayofJesusChrist.”-Philippians1:6

•  TheLordwillfulfillhispurposeforme;yoursteadfastlove,OLord,enduresforever.Donotforsaketheworkofyourhands.”-Psalm138:8

•  TheLordhasapurposeforeachandeveryindividualbelieverandHeisperfectlyfaithfultodoit.

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Romans3:5-6“ButifourunrighteousnessservestoshowtherighteousnessofGod,whatshallwesay?ThatGodisunrighteoustoinflict

wrathonus?(Ispeakinahumanway.)Bynomeans!ForthenhowcouldGodjudge

theworld?”

TheUnrighteousnessofMan•  TheJewmightsaytohimself,“iftheunrighteousactionofDavidgaveanopportunityforGodtodemonstrateHisrighteousnesstowardsDavidthenhowcouldGodjudgeme”.

•  MysinninglifestyleultimatelyservestobringGodmoreglory.ThisisstupidreasoningbecauseGod’sgloryrevealsmysinninglifestyleandHiskindnessleadstowardsmyrepentance,i.e.transformingmysinfullifestyle.

•  ThefalsepremisethatGodmustbeunrighteoustheninHisjudgmenttoinflictwrathonussincewearefulfillingHispurposebysinning.

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•  TheJewishpeoplefalselybelievedthatGodwouldsavethemandcondemnallthenationstoeternaljudgment.

•  PaulpointsoutthatGodwillnotshowfavoritismtotheJewishpeoplewhobelievethatbytheirunfaithfulnesstheyglorifythefaithfulnessofGod.

•  IfHedidso,howcouldGodjudgetheworld?(Genesis18:25)

•  Hewouldbebiasedandnotqualifiedtositinjudgmentonallofhumankind.

•  “Intheory,themostdramaticexampleofsomeonewhomightaskthisquestionisJudas.CanyouhearJudasmakehiscase?‘Lord,IknowthatIbetrayedJesus,butYouuseditforgood.Infact,ifIhadn’tdonewhatIdid,Jesuswouldn’thavegonetothecrossatall.WhatIdidevenfulfilledtheScriptures.HowcanYoujudgemeatall?’TheanswertoJudasmightgolikethis:‘Yes,Godusedyourwickednessbutitwasstillyourwickedness.Therewasnogoodorpuremotiveinyourheartatall.ItisnocredittoyouthatGodbroughtgoodoutofyourevil.YoustandguiltybeforeGod.’”-Guzick,David

•  "It[thetechnicalterm'Iamspeakinginhumanway']constitutesanapologyforastatementwhich,butfortheapology,wouldbetoobold,almostblasphemous.”-Daube,David

•  PaulwasspeakingasafallenmanaboutaholyGodsoheapologizedforthehumanwayinwhichhewastalkingaboutGod.AsJobconfessed,“IhaveutteredwhatIdidnotunderstand,thingstoowonderfulforme,whichIdidnotknow”-Job42:3

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Psalm131•  Psalm131isagreatprayerwhenquestionsaretoocomplicatedtobe

answeredbyourlimitedhumanunderstanding.•  “LORD,myheartisnothaughty,normyeyeslofty.NeitherdoIconcern

myselfwithgreatmatters,norwiththingstooprofoundforme.SurelyIhavecalmedandquietedmysoul,likeaweanedchildwithhismother;likeaweanedchildismysoulwithinme.OIsrael,hopeintheLORDFromthistimeforthandforever.”-Psalm131

•  ”Beforehewasweaned,DavidwantedGodonlyforwhathecouldgetfromGod.Afterhewasweaned,havinglearnedthatGodlovedhimandwouldcareforhimevenifitwasnotexactlythewayheanticipatedormostwanted,hecametoloveGodforGodhimself.”-Boice,JamesMontgomery

•  TrustinthefaithfulnessofGodbecause,“…theLordisfaithful.Hewillestablishyouandguardyouagainsttheevilone.”-2Thessalonians3:3

Romans3:7-8“ButifthroughmylieGod’struthabounds

tohisglory,whyamIstillbeingcondemnedasasinner?Andwhynotdo

evilthatgoodmaycome?—assomepeopleslanderouslychargeuswithsaying.

Theircondemnationisjust.”

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SinningGlorifiesGod•  IfmylyingmakesGodlookbetterbyshowingHimtobetheonlyperfectlytruthfulpersonintheendthenwhywillIbecondemnedforlivinginawaythatbringsglorytoGod?

•  PaulhadbeenslanderouslychargedbytheJewsofteachinggraceandforgivenesswithoutobediencetothelaw,claimingHetaughtthepeopletodoevilthatgoodmaycome.

•  ThetwisteddoctrineofsalvationthatisappealingtotheworldthatIcandoanysinIdesireandGodwillforgivememakestheGodoftheuniverseintotheGrandenablersupportingmydestructivesinfulbehaviorleadingtomydestruction.

•  Thereisnotagoodfatherintheworldthatdesireshischildrentowalkdownadestructivepathletaloneleadingandenablinghischildtowardstheirdestruction.

•  “TheLORDsetstheprisonersfree;theLORDopenstheeyesoftheblind.TheLORDliftsupthosewhoareboweddown;theLORDlovestherighteous.TheLORDwatchesoverthesojourners,heupholdsthewidowandthefatherless,butthewayofthewickedhebringstoruin.”-Psalm146:7b-9

•  “HehasdeliveredusfromthedomainofdarknessandtransferredustofthekingdomofhisbelovedSon,inwhomwehaveredemption,theforgivenessofsins.”-Colossians1:13-14

•  PauldidpreachforgivenessandsalvationbygracethroughfaithinJesus,notbyworks,buthealsomadethepointthatfaithleadstoobedience(Rom.1:5).

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•  “TwistingthegloriousfreegiftofGodinJesusintoasupposedlicensetosinisperhapsthepeakofman’sdepravity.IttakesthemostbeautifulgiftofGodandpervertsitandmocksit.ThistwistingissosinfulPaulsavesitforlast,becauseitisbeyondthedepravityofthepagan(Romans1:24-32),beyondthehypocrisyofthemoralist(Romans2:1-5),andbeyondthefalseconfidenceoftheJew(Romans2:17-29).”-Guzik,David

•  “Don'tbedeceived:Godisnotmocked.Forwhateverapersonsowshewillalsoreap”.-Galatians6:7

Romans3:9-18“Whatthen?AreweJewsanybetteroff?No,notatall.Forwehavealreadychargedthatall,bothJewsandGreeks,areundersin,asitiswritten:

‘Noneisrighteous,no,notone;nooneunderstands;nooneseeksforGod.Allhaveturnedaside;togethertheyhavebecome

worthless;noonedoesgood,notevenone.”

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Theirthroatisanopengrave;theyusetheir

tonguestodeceive.Thevenomofaspsisundertheirlips.Theirmouthisfullofcursesand

bitterness.Theirfeetareswifttoshedblood;intheirpathsareruinandmisery,andthewayofpeacetheyhavenotknown.Thereisnofearof

Godbeforetheireyes.”

AllofMankindisGuilty•  Paulhasthusfarbeenmakingthepointthatallpeopleboth

JewsandGentilesaredeservingofGod'swrathandjudgment.•  PaulisgoingtomakehisfinalpointcitingnumerousScriptural

passagesforproofthatallofmankindisguiltybeforeaholyGod.

•  “AslongasweclingtoourownselvesandthinkthatthereisevenashredofrighteousnessinourselvesthatcouldsatisfythedemandsofaholyGod,thereisnopossibilityofsalvationforus.”-Barnhouse,DonaldGrey

•  Noticethenumberoftimesthethewordsall,noone,notevenonethattheScriptureusestodrivethelastnailintoman’sspiritualhouseofglassshatteringanyhopewithinourselvesforsalvation.

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“Ashewassettingoutonajourney,amanranup,kneltdownbeforehim,andaskedhim,‘Goodteacher,whatmustIdotoinheriteternallife?’‘Whydoyoucallmegood?’Jesusaskedhim.‘NooneisgoodexceptGodalone.’”-Mark10:17-18Ifitweretruethat“peoplearetrulygoodatheart”thentherewouldnotbeaneedforJesussincegoodpeoplebynaturecouldsavethemselves.

•  TheBibleisperfectlyclearabouttheconditionofoursinfulheart:–  “TheLORDsawthatthewickednessofmanwasgreatintheearth,andthateveryintentionofthethoughtsofhisheartwasonlyevilcontinually.”-Genesis6:5

–  “Theheartisdeceitfulaboveallthings,anddesperatelysick;whocanunderstandit?”-Jeremiah17:9

–  “Butwhatcomesoutofthemouthproceedsfromtheheart,andthisdefilesaperson.Foroutoftheheartcomeevilthoughts,murder,adultery,sexualimmorality,theft,falsewitness,slander.”-Matthew15:18-19

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–  “Iftheysinagainstyouforthereisnoonewhodoesnotsin”-2Kings8:46a

–  “Thereiscertainlynoonerighteousontheearthwhodoesgoodandneversins.”-Ecclesiastes7:20

–  “forallhavesinnedandfallshortofthegloryofGod”-Romans3:23

–  “Whocansay,‘Ihavemademyheartpure;Iamcleanfrommysin?’”-Proverbs20:9

–  “Ifwesaywehavenosin,wedeceiveourselves,andthetruthisnotinus.”-1John1:8

–  “Ifwesaywehavenotsinned,wemakeHimaliar,andHiswordisnotinus.”-1John1:10

WhatThen?•  Whatthen?introducesaconclusiontotheargumentthatallpeopleareguiltybeforeGod.

•  AreJewsanybetteroff?TheanswerbytheHolySpiritthroughPaulisanemphaticandcrystalclear:No,notatall.

•  AnyadvantagethattheJewishpeoplehadandthatthebelievertodayhasareallgiftsofGod’ssovereigngracewithoutanymeritofourown.

•  ThebeliefthatapersonisrighteousbytheworksheperformsandbecauseofthoseworksGodoweshimsalvationisadelusionsinceeveryoneisundersin.

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•  Allofmankindisundersinwhichmeansbeingunderitsdominationandcondemnation.

•  TheredemptivesolutionpresentedtomanthroughtheCross:Condemnationneedsjustificationandforgivenessofsins;Dominationneedsdeliverancefromthepowerofsin.

•  "…theproblemwithpeopleisnotjustthattheycommitsins;theirproblemisthattheyareenslavedtosin.”-Moo,Douglas

•  “Heisregardingsinasatyrantruler,sothatsinnersare‘under’it(JerusalemBible,‘undersin’sdominion’);theycannotbreakfree.”-Morris,Leon

•  Sinismankind’sdiseaseandweareunderit’sthumbtodoasitwillsandhumanwillpowerisuselessagainstsin’sauthority.

•  “Don’thandle,don’ttaste,don’ttouch”’?Alltheseregulationsrefertowhatisdestinedtoperishbybeingusedup;theyarehumancommandsanddoctrines.Althoughthesehaveareputationforwisdombypromotingself-madereligion,falsehumility,andseveretreatmentofthebody,theyarenotofanyvalueincurbingself-indulgence”’-Colossians2:21-23

•  “Iseeinmymembersanotherlawwagingwaragainstthelawofmymindandmakingmecaptivetothelawofsinthatdwellsinmymembers.”-Romans7:23

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•  PaultellsusinRomans7:23,thatthereisalawofsinlivinginsideofhimthathasauthorityoverhislife.

•  Paulisusingthewordlawtodescribethepower,theauthority,andthecontrolthatsinexercisesintheheartofmankind.

•  TherearetwoapplicationsforthewordlawintheScriptures:1.  Lawcanandoftenreferstoamoralorderorcodebywhich

manistoconducthislife.Itusuallyinvolvesarequirementforaction,i.e.,Honoryourfatherandmother,donottrespass,donotspeed,whichhasanendconsequenceresultingineitherrewardorpunishment.

2.  Lawalsospeaksofthelawsofnature,gravityforinstanceisalawthatbendsthingsinitsdirection.Gravityisnotlawasanideabutaforcethatcanmakeobjectsobeyitswill.TheLawofindwellingsinisabully.

•  “Andyou,whoweredeadinyourtrespassesandtheuncircumcisionofyourflesh,Godmadealivetogetherwithhim,havingforgivenusallourtrespasses,bycancelingtherecordofdebtthatstoodagainstuswithitslegaldemands.Thishesetaside,nailingittothecross.”-Colossians2:13-14

•  Justificationdealtwithman’scondemnation.TheHolySpiritisdealingwiththedominionofsinbythesanctificationprocessthroughgrace.

•  TheLawgavesinauthority,Forapartfromthelaw,sinliesdead(Romans7:8b).

•  JesusfulfilledtheLaw,takingawaythelegalruleofsinandbydoingsodestroyedsin’sdominion.

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NoOneIsRighteous•  PaulquotesfivepassagesfromtheBookofPsalmsandone

passagefromthebookofIsaiahaffirmingtheuniversalityofsinandshowinghowmuchsinhasmadeinroadsintoallareasofman’sindividuallifeandsocietyasawhole.

•  ThesequotationsfromPsalms,14:1-3;5:9,140:3,10:7and36:1andfromIsaiah59:7-8areallusedtosupportPaul’sopeningpremise:Noneisrighteous,no,notone

•  “WhenGodfindsnonerighteous,itisbecausetherearenone.Itisn’tasifthereweresomeandGodcouldn’tseethem.TherehasneverbeenatrulyrighteousmanapartfromJesusChrist.‘EvenAdamwasnotrighteous:hewasinnocent,notknowinggoodandevil.’”-Newell,William

NoOneUnderstands•  TheFallofmancreatedablindnessinman’sunderstandingand

reasoningcapabilities.•  “Theyaredarkenedintheirunderstanding,alienatedfromthe

lifeofGodbecauseoftheignorancethatisinthem,duetotheirhardnessofheart.”-Ephesians4:18

•  TheselfcenterednessofhumanitydirectsallofourattentionuponwhatwethinkweknowandyetweareblindtoGod’struthandultimatereality.

•  Manhasgoneastrayduetheirdarkenedunderstandingcreatedbyahardnessofheart.AstubbornrefusaltounderstandGodandWhoHeisbasedupontheBiblicalrevelationalienatesmanfromthelifeofGod.

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NoOneSeeksGod•  SinhasblindedmantotherealityofGod,nooneseeksforGod,

thereforeitisessentialforGodtoseekforsinfulman.•  “God,beingrichinmercy,becauseofthegreatlovewithwhich

helovedus,evenwhenweweredeadinourtrespasses,madeusalivetogetherwithChrist”-Ephesians2:4-5

•  NomanreallywantstofindGodratherwearerunningandhidingfromourguiltandshameinallwedo.

•  GodinHismercyandlovecallsouttomanwithadeepconcernformanandhispositionbeforeHim.

•  “Why,whenIcame,wastherenoman?Why,whenIcalled,wastherenonetoanswer?”-Isaiah50:2

•  “fortheSonofManhascome andtosavethatwhichwaslost.”-Luke19:10

•  Luke19:10,demonstratesthatGodisamerciful,agracious,andacompassionateGod.

•  GodinJesusChristlovesmanandprovidesrighteousnessforhimevenwhenmanisathisworstandlosttoHim.

•  “Goddoesn’taskquestionsbecauseHeneedsinformation.BeingGod,Heknowseverything.Rather,Heasksquestionsforourgood,togiveustheopportunitytofacefacts,tobehonest,andconfessoursins…[WhenGodisseekingformanitis]likeabrokenheartedfatherspeakinginlovetohiswaywardchildren.”-Wiersbe,Warren

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Romans3:19-20“Nowweknowthatwhateverthelawsaysitspeakstothosewhoareunderthelaw,sothateverymouthmaybestopped,andthewholeworldmaybeheldaccountabletoGod.Forby

worksofthelawnohumanbeingwillbejustifiedinhissight,sincethroughthelawcomes

knowledgeofsin.”

ThePurposeoftheLaw•  Thefirstpartofverse19,isspeakingtotheJewswhoweregiventhelaw

andarethereforeunderthelaworobligatedtokeepthewholelaw.•  Thesecondpartofverse19,isspeakingtotherestoftheworldwhoare

accountabletoGodsothateverymouthmaybestopped.•  TheJewishpeopletookeverypassageoftheOldTestamentdescribing

evildoneapartfromthelawandapplieditonlytotheGentilesbutnottothemselves.

•  TheLawwasn’tgiventomakemenrighteousbecausebytheworksofthelawnohumanbeingwillbejustified.

•  Thepurposeofthelawwastogivemanaknowledgeofsin.•  “ThepurposeoftheLawwasnottoprovidepeoplewithaseriesofsteps

thatwouldleadthemtoheaven.Itwastoexposetheirinabilitytomeritheaven”.-Constable,Thomas

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Romans3:21-23“ButnowtherighteousnessofGodhasbeen

manifestedapartfromthelaw,althoughtheLawandtheProphetsbearwitnesstoit,the

righteousnessofGodthroughfaithinJesusChristforallwhobelieve.Forthereisnodistinction:forallhavesinnedandfallshortofthegloryofGod,”

TheRighteousnessofGod•  Righteousnessdoesnotcomefromtheworksofthelaw,righteousnessismanifestedapartfromthelaw.

•  NowPaulsays,thereisarighteousnessofGodthroughfaithinJesusChristforallwhobelieve.

•  Thisistheveryheartofthegospelthathasbeenrevealedfromheaven(1:16)andtheProphetsbearwitnesstoitthatGodisnotcountingman’ssinagainsthimbuthasmadehimrighteousthroughfaithinJesus.

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SalvationHistorythroughtheBible•  IntheGardenaftertheFallGodsacrificedalambforAdamand

Eveindividually.•  TheLordGodmadecoatsofskinsforAdamandforhiswife,and

clothedthem.”-Genesis3:21•  GodactingastheirPriestmadethefirstbloodsacrificeto

Himselfbythekillingofananimaltocoverthesinofman.•  DuringtheperiodoftheExodusGodinstructedthepeopleto

sacrificealambforeachfamilyhousehold.•  “SpeaktoallthecongregationofIsrael,saying:‘Onthetenthof

thismontheverymanshalltakeforhimselfalamb,accordingtothehouseofhisfather,alambforahousehold.”-Exodus12:3

•  Priestswerecommissionedtomakeasacrificeforthenation.•  “Thisshallbeaneverlastingstatuteforyou,tomakeatonementforthe

childrenofIsraelonceayear -Leviticus16:34•  “Theseareashadowofthethingstocome,butlthesubstancebelongs

toChrist.”-Colossians2:17•  WhenJohntheBaptistsawJesuscominghesaid:“Behold!TheLambof

Godwhotakesawaythesinoftheworld!”-John1:29•  SalvationhasalwaysbeenandwillalwaysbethroughJesusbyfaith,

plusnothing.•  “ andcalleduswithaholycalling,

,,buthasnowbeenrevealedbythe

appearingofourSaviorJesusChrist,whohasabolisheddeathandbroughtlifeandimmortalitytolightthroughthegospel”-2Timothy1:9-10

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TheGloryofGod•  ThegloryofGodreferstotheoutwardmanifestationofWhoGod

is.God'sgloryembracesthemagnitude,thebeauty,andtheperfectionofallthatHeis.

•  “TheRock,hisworkisperfect,forallhiswaysarejustice.AGodoffaithfulnessandwithoutiniquity,justanduprightishe.”-Deuteronomy32:4

•  WhentheBiblesaysthat,theLordisoneitmeansthatGodisperfectandflawlessinbothHisessenceandHisways.

•  Godwillnotbefairtodayandunfairtomorroworgoodtodayandeviltomorrow.

•  GodisWhoHeisinthemostcompleteandpurewaypossiblealwaysandforever.

•  AdiamondisagoodillustrationforGodbeingflawless.Whenexpertssayadiamondiswithoutflawstheymeanitcontainsnovariationingrain,nocombinationofcolors,anditcontainsnocracks-itisonethingonly.

•  “Everygoodgiftandeveryperfectgiftisfromabove,comingdownfromtheFatheroflightswithwhomthereisnovariationorshadowduetochange.”-James1:17

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FallingShort•  God’sgloryandperfectionisthestandardwearetoachieveofwhich,

becauseofsin,wefallshort.•  MatthewHenryputitthisway300yearsago,“…asthearchercomesshort

ofthemark,astherunnercomesshortoftheprize…”•  Sinliterallymeanstomissthemark.•  Everypersonthathaseverlivedfallsshortforthereisnodistinctionbut

everypersoncanbejustifiedbyhisgraceasagift.•  “Theharlot,theliar,themurderer,areshortofit;butsoareyou.Perhaps

theystandatthebottomofamine,andyouonthecrestofanAlp;butyouareaslittleabletotouchthestarsasthey.”-Moule,H.C.G.

Romans3:24-26“andarejustifiedbyhisgraceasagift,throughtheredemptionthatisinChristJesus,whomGodput

forwardasapropitiationbyhisblood,tobereceivedbyfaith.ThiswastoshowGod’srighteousness,

becauseinhisdivineforbearancehehadpassedoverformersins.Itwastoshowhisrighteousnessatthe

presenttime,sothathemightbejustandthejustifieroftheonewhohasfaithinJesus.”

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Justified,Redemption,Propitiation•  Thewordsjustifiedandrighteousnessareinterchangeableinthese

versesintheoriginalGreektextusingtheworddikaioō.•  JustificationdefinesourlegalproblemwithsinbeforeGod.•  Redemptiondefinesourpurchasefromtheslavemarketbythebloodof

Jesus.•  PropitiationdefinesthesacrificialappeasementrequiredbyGod.•  Sanctificationdefinesthemomentbymomentworkinguponourheart

bytheHolySpirittomoldusintotheimageofJesus.•  "Donotconfusejustificationandsanctification.Sanctificationisthe

processwherebyGodmakesthebelievermoreandmorelikeChrist.Sanctificationmaychangefromdaytoday.Justificationneverchanges.WhenthesinnertrustsChrist,Goddeclareshimrighteous,andthatdeclarationwillneverberepealed.Godlooksonusanddealswithusasthoughwehadneversinnedatall!”-Wiersbe,Warren

JesusIsOurPropitiation•  Thereareonlytwooptions:

1.  ApersoncanstandbeforetheholyGodoftheuniverseandpresenthisworksbeforeHimonhisown(Revelation20:11-15)

2.  ApersoncanstandbeforetheholyGodoftheuniverseandletJesusadvocateonhisbehalf.

•  “ForHemadeHimwhoknewnosintobesinforus,thatwemightbecometherighteousnessofGodinHim.”-2Corinthians5:21

•  Thekeywordsarepropitiationbyhisblood.BeforeJesus,theofferingwasmadetocoversin,butafterJesus’deathandresurrectionoursinsnowhavebeennotonlycoveredbutmadevoid.

•  “ThisistheeffectoftheshedbloodofChrist:ithassatisfiedallDivineclaimsagainstus,andhasredeemedusfromsinuntoGod,separatingusuntoGodforeverwithanabsolute,infinitetie.”-Newell

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JustandJustifier•  Jesus,byHisblood,wasapropitiationforus.•  “GodappeaseshisownholywrathinthecrossofChristinorderthatthepurposeofhislovetolostmenmaybeaccomplishedinaccordancewithandtovindicationofallperfectionsthatconstitutehisglory”-Murray,John

•  Inotherwords,Jesuswasjudgedinourplace,sothattheFathercouldshowHisrighteousnessinjudgmentagainstsin,allthewhilesparingmanwhodeservesthejudgment.

•  God,Himself,istheAuthorandPerfecterofthewholeworkofredemption.

•  GodforgedHisplanbeforetimebegan.(2Timothy1:9)•  GodmadethefirstsacrificeforAdamandthelastandperfectsacrificeofofferingHimselfthroughtheSon.(Genesis3:21;Hebrews10:14)

•  “ForGodwasinChrist,reconcilingtheworldtohimself,nolongercountingpeople’ssinsagainstthem.”-2Corinthians5:19

•  FaithistrustinginthecompleteworkofGodinChristforsalvation.

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TheWayOfFaith•  Faithistheoppositeofwalkingbyourownunderstanding.-(Proverbs3:5)

•  Faithisnot tothetruthofsomethingbecausewhenit’sonlyinourheadit’snotfaith–it’sknowledge.(Romans10:10)

•  FaithisaperpetualdependenceupontheLord..-(2

Thessalonians2:13)•  Faithisan

(Psalm143:10)

•  Faithmeansthatweputour inGod’sWordwithtowhatHehaspromised.-(1

Corinthians1:9;Hebrews10:23)•  FaithistobelieveGodandnotmanandhistraditions.-(Mark7:13)

•  Faithisnot" youbelieve?But" doyoubelieve?”-(Romans3:26)

•  “Themanwhohasfaithisthemanwhoisnolongerlookingathimself,andnolongerlookingtohimself.Henolongerlooksatanythingheoncewas.Hedoesnotlookatwhatheisnow.Hedoesnotlookatwhathehopestobe…HelooksentirelytotheLordJesusChristandHisfinishedwork,andrestsonthatalone.”-Lloyd-Jones,Martyn

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Romans3:27-31“Thenwhatbecomesofourboasting?Itisexcluded.Bywhatkindoflaw?Byalawofworks?No,butbythelawoffaith.Forweholdthatoneisjustifiedbyfaithapartfromworksofthelaw.OrisGodtheGodofJewsonly?IshenottheGodofGentilesalso?Yes,

ofGentilesalso,

SinceGodisone,whowilljustifythecircumcisedbyfaithandtheuncircumcisedthroughfaith.Dowethenoverthrowthelaw

bythisfaith?Bynomeans!Onthecontrary,weupholdthelaw.”

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Boasting•  Boastingistodeclarewithexaggerationandexcessivepride,

especiallyaboutoneself.•  Peoplewillusuallyboastinwhatgivesthemconfidenceandself

worthandultimatelydefinesthem.•  Faithexcludesboastingbecausethereisnothingthatwecando

thatbringsourrighteousnessthatwecanboast.•  IfwearegoingtoreceiveJesusthenwemustgiveupboasting.•  “Weonlyexcludeboastingwhenwerealizeourbest

achievementshavedonenothingtojustifyus!Toboastinthemislikeadrowningmanclutchingafistfulofhundred-dollarbillsandshouting:‘I’mO.K.I’vegotmoney!’”-Keller,Timothy

•  “ThussaystheLORD:“Letnotthewisemanboastinhiswisdom,letnotthemightymanboastinhismight,letnottherichmanboastinhisriches,butlethimwhoboastsboastinthis,thatheunderstandsandknowsme,thatIamtheLORDwhopracticessteadfastlove,justice,andrighteousnessintheearth.ForinthesethingsIdelight,declarestheLORD.”-Jeremiah9:23-24

•  “ButfarbeitfrommetoboastexceptinthecrossofourLordJesusChrist,bywhichtheworldhasbeencrucifiedtome,andItotheworld.”-Galatians6:14

•  BelieversbyfaithknowthattheyaresavedwhollyandcompletelythroughtheworkofJesusuponthecross.

•  BelieversdonottakeanycreditfortheirpositionandstandingwithGodnoranycreditfortheblessingswereceivebygracefromHim.

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LawofFaith•  TherehasbeenandthereisonlyonewaytoGodandthatis

beingjustifiedbyfaithapartfromworksofthelaw.•  Jesusneverproclaimedthelawdidn’tmatterbutinfact

stressedtheimportanceofkeepingthewholelaw.ItmustbekeptandforthoseinChristithasbeen.

•  Jesusfulfilledthelawonourbehalfsothatwedon’thavetoliveintheperfectionofthelawbutreceivethatperfectionthroughfaithinJesus.

•  “ForGodhasdonewhatthelaw,weakenedbytheflesh,couldnotdo.BysendinghisownSoninthelikenessofsinfulfleshandforsin,hecondemnedsinintheflesh,inorderthattherighteousrequirementofthelawmightbefulfilledinus…”-Romans8:3-4a

FaithwasintheBeginning•  AdamandEvewereinnocentlivingintheperfect,

provisional,andprotectiveenvironmentofthegarden.•  ThetestforAdamwasperfectobedienceinfaithto

God’swordtonoteatofthetreeoftheknowledgeofgoodandevil.

•  ThefailurewasdisobediencetobelieveGod’sWord.•  Thejudgmentwasspiritualandphysicaldeath.•  ThewayofsalvationprovidedbyGodwastheslaying

ofananimalsacrifice.

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FaithisRequiredToday•  ManistobelievethatallhavesinnedandneedsalvationfromGod.•  ThetestformankindtodayistobelieveinJesusforsalvation.•  ThefailureformankindisnottobelieveGod’swordabouttheworkof

Jesus.•  Thejudgmentisspiritualandphysicaldeathresultingineternal

judgment.•  ThewayofsalvationisprovidedbyGodthroughthedeathofJesusupon

theCrossbyfaith.•  “Andhesaidtothem,‘Ofoolishones,andslowofhearttobelieveall

thattheprophetshavespoken!WasitnotnecessarythattheChristshouldsufferthesethingsandenterintohisglory?”AndbeginningwithMosesandalltheProphets,heinterpretedtotheminalltheScripturesthethingsconcerninghimself.”-Luke24:25-27

OneGod•  IfGodistrulyGodthenHeistheGodofeverythingand

everyone.•  Thegospelupholdstheperfectstandardsthatthelawrequires

andthegospelisforthewholeworld.•  JustificationisavailabletoboththeJewandtheGentileanditis

alsoreceivedthesamewaybyboththeJewandtheGentile.•  TheoneGodjustifiesboththeJewandtheGentileandHealso

justifiestheminthesameway:byfaith…throughfaith.-(Romans3:28,30)

•  ThegospelfreesustoupholdthelawwithoutfearoffailureorcondemnationsincetheOneWholivesinusandtheOneWhomakesintercessionforusfulfilleditforus!