Monday, October 03, 2022

2022.10.03 Hopewell @Home ▫ Romans 3:21–22

Romans 3:21–22

Questions from the Scripture text: What is revealed in Romans 3:21? Whose righteousness? Apart from what? Who/what had testified to this righteousness? What does Romans 3:22 begin by restating as its theme? Through what is this righteousness obtained? What (Who!) is the object of this faith? Unto whom is this righteousness? Upon whom is this righteousness? Unto/upon how many of them? How does the end of verse 22 support  that it is all of them (only them) who are counted righteous in this way? 

If even the works of the law can’t justify us, how can we be righteous before God? Romans 3:21–22 looks forward to the sermon in the midweek prayer meeting. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that in Jesus Christ, God has offered His own righteousness to sinners.

Righteousness of God, Romans 3:21. If by the deeds of the law we cannot be justified, then what righteousness can a man have as his standing before God? Verse 21 answers that God gives His own righteousness! This is that greatness of the gospel since back in Romans 1:16–17. We have no power to save, but the gospel is God’s power to save. We have no righteousness, but in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed.

Righteousness apart from the lawRomans 3:21. This righteousness does NOT come from our having the law, hearing the law, believing the law, or doing the law. The law and prophets tell us about the righteousness that we may have. But the law cannot be the way that get that righteousness.

Righteousness through faith of Jesus ChristRomans 3:22. This righteousness comes by believing in Jesus Christ. There’s no preposition here, and it can be read as well as “through the faith of Jesus Christ.” What saves is not our believing but the Christ in Whom we believe. It is even His own faith that is the only worthy faith (cf. Hebrews 2:13). And He is the only worthiness that we or our faith can have. 

Righteousness into and uponRomans 3:22. The first preposition sounds like “unto” in many English translations but actually means “into” in the original. The credit of Christ’s righteousness becomes as much ours as if it came from within us. And lest we think that this is “infused” righteousness instead of “imputed” righteousness, the Spirit adds that the righteousness is “upon” us. God bestows His righteousness upon the believer as a gift.

Righteousness for all who believeRomans 3:22. This phrase teaches mechanism. All who believe in Jesus Christ receive Jesus Himself and are credited with all of His own righteousness. This is why all who believe in Jesus are justified. Their faith may be weak; their faith may be strong. But they have the same Jesus!

What righteousness can you have? How can’t you get it? Whose is it? How can it come to be yours?

Sample prayer:  Lord, even from Your holy and righteous and good commandments, we could not obtain righteousness. But, in the gospel You have revealed Your righteousness for all who believe! Grant that by Your power, we would have Your salvation, by Your righteousness, in Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP32AB “What Blessedness” or TPH435 “Not What My Hands Have Done”

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