The Righteousness of The Righteousness of GodGodRomans 3:19-26Romans 10:3-4

““The Righteousness of The Righteousness of God”God”

GOD GOD (Holy)(Holy) MAN MAN (Sinners)(Sinners)

How can a holy God accept sinners into His fellowship?

How do sinners escape punishment for their sins and God remain just?

How does God justify sinners?

Answer revealed in the gospel, Romans 1:16-17

“Righteousness of God”“From faith to faith”The just shall live (have life) by faith, Hab 2:4 (1:13; 2:1-4)

Justified -- Live Gal 3:11

2

The Righteousness of The Righteousness of GodGodThe means by which God declares sinful man righteous or just, Phil 3:9

3

The Righteousness of The Righteousness of GodGodHow will God count man How will God count man righteous?righteous?God, by His very nature, is totally righteous, Psa 48:10; 50:6; 71:15-16◦How can the righteous God remain

righteous and not immediately punish all sinners for their sin? Ezek 18:20; Rom 6:23

God shows His righteousness by setting forth Jesus as the appeasement of His wrath against sin, Rom 3:25-26

4

The Righteousness of The Righteousness of GodGodHow will God count man How will God count man righteous?righteous?Due to his sin, man is unrighteous

and under wrath, Rom 1:18; 3:9-10, 19; 3:23◦Dilemma: How can unholy sinners approach the holy God without immediate condemnation?

◦Answer: “The righteousness of God” is demonstrated in the “redemption that is in Christ Jesus”, Rom 3:21-22, 24-26 (Mercy, 11:32) 5

The Righteousness of The Righteousness of GodGodHow God declares sinners How God declares sinners righteous righteous Romans 1:16-17; 3:19-Romans 1:16-17; 3:19-2626Not by works of the Law, Rom 3:20-

21 (9, 12, 23); Phil 3:9◦Why not by the Law?◦ If by the Law, then faith is void and the

promise is of no effect, Rom 4:14◦Law brings wrath--not redemption, Rom

4:15Through faith in Christ, Phil 3:9;

Gal 2:16; Acts 13:38-39 (Rom 1:17)6

Redemption that is in Redemption that is in Christ Jesus Christ JesusRighteousness of God

Justification by God

From faith to faith

By grace through faith

7

Romans 3:22-24; 4:16(Gal 2:16, 21; 3:11-14)

How was Abraham How was Abraham Justified? Justified? Romans 4:1-5Romans 4:1-5

WORKS (LAW) FAITH (GOSPEL)

Perfect law-keeping IF SO, THEN…He could boast in the

fleshHe could not boast in GodGod would be indebted to

himHis works would be

imputed for righteousnessBUT: Abraham sinnedNOT BY WORKS!

Sinner seeking grace IF SO, THEN…Could not boast in the

fleshHe could boast in GodGod would be merciful to

himHis faith was imputed to

him for righteousnessSO: Abraham believed GodJUSTIFIED BY FAITH!

8

SALVATION OF ISRAEL SALVATION OF ISRAEL Romans10:1-4Romans10:1-4

WORKS (LAW) FAITH (GOSPEL)

Righteousness that is of the deeds of the Law is not the righteousness of God, Rom 10:3-5 (3:27-30)

Righteousness that is of faith is revealed in the word of faith (the gospel), Rom 10:6-8

9

The Righteousness of The Righteousness of God God Justification by grace Justification by grace through faiththrough faithGospel is preached to produce faith leading to salvation, Rom 10:8-13; 6:17-18

Personal faith is accounted for righteousness, Rom 4:5-8◦From faith (gospel) to faith (personal), Rom 1:17; 10:17

◦No boasting, Eph 2:9 (Rom 3:27-28)

10

THE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS FROM WHICH IS FROM GOD BY FAITHGOD BY FAITH

Philippians 3:8-11

11

Without the righteousness Without the righteousness which is from God by faith, which is from God by faith, you…you…Cannot be “in” Christ, 3:9; Gal 3:26-27Cannot “know” Him, 3:10, Rom 5:1-2

◦Power of His resurrection, Jno 11:25-26◦Fellowship of His sufferings, 2 Cor 5:21◦Conformed to image of His death, Rom

6:4-5Cannot attain to resurrection from the

dead (unto eternal life), 3:11; Rom 6:23; John 5:29◦No crown of righteousness, 2 Tim 4:6-8

12

The Righteousness of The Righteousness of GodGodRomans 3:19-26

•Obtain life by faith; No other way, Rom 1:17•Faith that saves is faith that obeys•God will justify you by grace,

through faith