How Am I Saved? | Romans 3:21-26

This passage has been famously called “the greatest paragraph ever written”–and rightfully so. It explains how sinful humanity can be saved from the wrath of God. Paul spent Romans 1:18–3:20 talking about humanity’s problem: sin. Because of this sin against a just God, the wrath of God is coming. We often forget that the wrath of God is kind, for if God did not address the problem of evil, who could? Now, in Romans 3:21–5:21, Paul focuses on God’s solution to the problem of sin: sending Christ. In putting forward Christ, we see the fullness of God’s justice and love. In His justice, God requires payment for evil, but, in His love, He provides the payment in His Only Son. Some have slanderously charged God with “divine child abuse,” but Christ makes it clear that He voluntarily gave Himself up: “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father” (Jn. 10:18). If someone were to ask you today, “How am I saved?” The Bible provides the answer: by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

Take-Home Message: I am saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

I am saved in Christ alone (21–22).
I am saved by grace alone (23–24).
I am saved through faith alone (25–26).

Take-Home Lessons:
My reception of God’s righteousness is possible in Christ, but only in Christ.
My redemption through God’s righteousness is a gracious gift.
My response to God’s righteousness must be faith in Christ.