SAVING FAITH
Romans 3:21–4:5
Paul continues in chapter 2 to discuss circumcision. It is an outward symbol of an inward spiritual relation between the nation of Israel and Jehovah. While the Jews believed they had special standing because of circumcision, Paul flatly refutes that by writing in 3:10, “There is no one righteous, not even one.” He preceded that statement by saying “both Jews and Greeks are all under sin.”
Paul contends that circumcision is meaningless if you don’t keep the law. He contrasts physical circumcision with circumcision “of the heart by the Spirit” (2:29). As chapter 3 begins, Paul continues to build his case that it is a matter of the heart. The good news of this chapter is that even when we are faithless, God is faithful!
Falling Short (3:21–26)
Paul writes that God has revealed a righteousness apart from the law.
Righteousness — or right standing before God — is accomplished by rightly placing one’s faith in Jesus Christ. Saving faith involves the emotions, the intellect and the exercise of the will. Paul says that regardless of ethnic origin, we all need Jesus.
As sons and daughters of Adam, we have the sin nature imprinted on our spiritual DNA. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” can mean falling short of God’s standard of holiness or falling short of the plan and purpose He had for Adam and Eve. On a personal note, I have never had to convince someone that we are all sinners. When we place our faith in the sacrificial and atoning death of Christ in our place, God grants us justification. Justification is a legal term that means we are declared morally right. Breaking the term down, you could say that because of Jesus, when God looks at me, it is “just-as-if-I’d” never sinned. What do many people place their hope for salvation in apart from faith in Jesus?
Finding Hope (27–31)
Paul states that God has made the shed blood of Jesus a propitiation — or satisfaction — for our sins. Because all have sinned, no one can feel like they are justified by their own good works or keeping of the law but rather by exercising their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. It is for both Jews and Gentiles. Good works can never save a person. Isaiah 64:6 says that our good works are like filthy rags. This is not to negate the doing of good works. It simply means that good works will not save you. We do good because we are saved.
Following Faith (4:1–5)
Paul continues to make his argument that justification doesn’t come simply because Abraham is your patriarch. Even though the Jews held up Abraham as an example of one who was justified by his good works, this runs counter to the biblical account. Genesis 15:6 says, “Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.”
The Jews believed they were justified because they were in the lineage of Abraham, but national heritage or lineage cannot justify a person. If a man can save himself by good works, then the death of Jesus on the cross for man’s sin would be worthless. The good news is that salvation is received by grace (alone) and based on faith (alone) in Jesus Christ.
By Don Fugate
Senior pastor of Foxworthy Baptist Church in San Jose, California
