Romans 3:21-24

Romans 3:21-24

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 

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Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:14

Hello, this is Dr. Bill Branks, author of Love the Word. Our text today is Romans 3 verses 21 to 24. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Paintings, statues, and photographs are used to honor and imitate our heroes. Statues, in particular, when carved by skilled sculptors, create remarkable likenesses of their subjects. Michelangelo, Donatello, and Auguste Rodin are known for producing powerful and anatomically accurate sculptures. Hungarian pencil artist Floritov draws incredible likenesses, see Anthony Hopkins' portrait below, that are barely distinguishable from the subject. If you ever had the chance to see one of these great works of art, meeting the real person would be a shock. The actual person, in stature, clarity, color, and three dimensions, would show us what no artist could. Their likenesses, no matter how precise, fail to fully show what or who they represent. The law is also a simple reflection of God's true nature. It is a standard of righteousness that reveals God's holiness and sinlessness. However, the law cannot fully represent him. Much has been said about the law's importance so far in Romans, but it is only a likeness of God's righteousness. The prophet Isaiah emphasized the superiority of God's righteousness in Isaiah 45, verse 24. Only in the Lord it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength. Paul shifts the focus of God's righteousness to where it truly belongs, on Christ. Righteousness is gained by who he is and what he has done for us. God's attributes, such as grace, justification, and faith, mentioned in these verses, all stem from God's sinless perfection. He is as right as right can be. His righteousness far exceeds what the law was thought to offer, but never could. For all who believe, the righteousness of Christ is granted. This is something obedience to the law through good works can never accomplish for you. It is never rule keeping or good works that make us righteous in God's eyes, but through faith in Jesus Christ, for all who believe. This alone erases our sin, purifies us, and makes us acceptable in God's sight. His righteousness alone is the one we must seek. Not only do we fail to keep God's law, but we also fall far short of God's glorious example of purity and holiness. Paul emphasizes that everyone has fallen short, with no exception. Our only hope is to accept our sinful condition, abandon our worthless works, and rely completely on His grace. The clearest demonstration of God's righteousness is that believers are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption found in Christ Jesus. Our justification is a legal declaration of innocence because Christ paid the penalty for our guilt. Laws carved in stone can't accomplish this. A lifetime of obedience and selfless acts of kindness can't do this either. The judge of all the universe can declare us righteous only because the Son He sent died on the cross.