Understanding God's Righteousness and Grace Through Christ

 

Summary

In our exploration of righteousness, we often focus on the righteousness we can demonstrate or possess. However, true righteousness is a divine attribute, fully and completely belonging to God. While we can exhibit righteousness in our lives, it is ultimately a reflection of God's own righteousness, which He graciously shares with us. The Apostle Paul's letter to the Romans is a profound exposition on the righteousness of God, explaining why we lack inherent righteousness and how God, through His redemptive work, enables us to obtain it.

Paul's message in Romans, particularly in chapter 3, emphasizes that both Jews and Gentiles are under God's wrath due to sin, yet God's righteousness is revealed through the gospel. The gospel is the power of God for salvation, and it is through this message that God's righteousness is manifested. Paul stresses that the righteousness of God is not contrary to the law but is revealed apart from it, fulfilling the law's purpose.

A critical aspect of this righteousness is its accessibility to all who believe, regardless of their background. This was a revolutionary concept for the Jews, who saw themselves as God's exclusive people. Paul clarifies that salvation is available to all nations, breaking down barriers between Jews and Gentiles. This inclusivity is rooted in the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, whose works, not ours, secure our salvation.

Understanding God's grace is essential. It is a gift, not something we earn or deserve. This grace is made possible through the propitiation by Jesus' blood, satisfying God's wrath against sin. The concept of propitiation is crucial, as it underscores the seriousness of sin and the magnitude of God's grace. Recognizing our sinfulness and God's wrath allows us to truly appreciate the grace offered through Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- True righteousness is a divine attribute, fully possessed by God. While we can reflect this righteousness in our lives, it is ultimately a gift from God, shared with us through His grace. Understanding this helps us recognize our dependence on God for true righteousness. [04:37]

- The gospel is the power of God for salvation, revealing His righteousness. It is not our efforts or abilities that save us, but the gospel message itself. This underscores the importance of proclaiming the gospel, as it is the means by which God's righteousness is made known. [09:34]

- Salvation is available to all who believe, breaking down barriers between Jews and Gentiles. This inclusivity challenges us to see beyond cultural and religious boundaries, recognizing that God's grace is for all people. [19:04]

- God's grace is a gift, not something we earn. This grace is made possible through the propitiation by Jesus' blood, which satisfies God's wrath against sin. Understanding this deepens our appreciation for the magnitude of God's grace. [32:55]

- Recognizing our sinfulness and God's wrath is essential to appreciating His grace. It is only when we understand the seriousness of our sin that we can truly grasp the depth of God's love and the significance of the gospel. [39:47]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[04:24] - Understanding Righteousness
[06:19] - The Righteousness of God in Romans
[07:54] - Sin and God's Wrath
[09:20] - The Power of the Gospel
[10:35] - Manifestation of God's Righteousness
[12:17] - Law and Gospel Harmony
[13:32] - Faith and Faithfulness
[15:47] - Saved by Works: Christ's Works
[18:51] - Salvation for All Who Believe
[21:29] - God's Love for the Nations
[24:25] - The Reality of Sin
[27:26] - Grace as a Gift
[32:55] - Propitiation and God's Wrath
[39:47] - Understanding Grace Through Wrath
[41:55] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 3:21-26
2. Romans 1:16-17
3. John 3:16-17

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Romans 3:21-26, how is the righteousness of God revealed, and what role does faith play in this revelation?
2. In Romans 1:16-17, Paul states that he is not ashamed of the gospel. What reasons does he give for this confidence? [09:20]
3. How does John 3:16-17 describe the scope of God's love and the purpose of Jesus' coming into the world?

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean that the righteousness of God is manifested apart from the law, yet not contrary to it, as explained in Romans 3:21-22? [12:17]
2. How does the concept of propitiation in Romans 3:25 help us understand the seriousness of sin and the magnitude of God's grace? [32:55]
3. In what ways does the inclusivity of salvation for all who believe, as mentioned in Romans 3:22, challenge cultural and religious boundaries? [19:04]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the idea that true righteousness is a divine attribute shared with us by God. How does this understanding affect your daily reliance on God for righteousness? [04:37]
2. The sermon emphasized the power of the gospel for salvation. How can you actively proclaim the gospel in your community, and what challenges might you face in doing so? [09:34]
3. Considering that salvation is available to all who believe, how can you foster inclusivity in your church or community, especially towards those from different cultural or religious backgrounds? [19:04]
4. The concept of grace as a gift was highlighted in the sermon. Can you identify areas in your life where you might be trying to earn God's favor instead of accepting His grace? [32:55]
5. Understanding God's wrath is essential to appreciating His grace. How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of your own sinfulness to better appreciate the grace offered through Christ? [39:47]
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of theological understanding. How can you deepen your knowledge of key theological concepts like propitiation to strengthen your faith? [33:13]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy of God's grace. How did you overcome that feeling, and how can you help others who might feel the same way? [31:08]

Devotional

Day 1: Righteousness as a Divine Gift
True righteousness is not something humans can inherently possess or achieve on their own; it is a divine attribute that belongs fully to God. While individuals can reflect righteousness in their lives, it is ultimately a gift from God, shared with humanity through His grace. This understanding helps believers recognize their dependence on God for true righteousness. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, elaborates on this concept, explaining that God's righteousness is revealed through the gospel and is accessible to all who believe. This divine righteousness is not contrary to the law but fulfills its purpose, demonstrating that it is not through human efforts or abilities that one is saved, but through the gospel message itself. [04:37]

"For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face." (Psalm 11:7, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself striving for righteousness through your own efforts? How can you shift your focus to rely on God's gift of righteousness instead?


Day 2: The Gospel as the Power of Salvation
The gospel is the power of God for salvation, revealing His righteousness to humanity. It is not through human efforts or abilities that salvation is achieved, but through the gospel message itself. This underscores the importance of proclaiming the gospel, as it is the means by which God's righteousness is made known to the world. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that the righteousness of God is revealed apart from the law, fulfilling its purpose and demonstrating that salvation is available to all who believe, regardless of their background. This revolutionary concept challenges believers to see beyond cultural and religious boundaries, recognizing that God's grace is for all people. [09:34]

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively participate in sharing the gospel with those around you, recognizing it as the power of God for salvation?


Day 3: Inclusivity of Salvation
Salvation is available to all who believe, breaking down barriers between Jews and Gentiles. This inclusivity challenges believers to see beyond cultural and religious boundaries, recognizing that God's grace is for all people. The Apostle Paul clarifies that salvation is not limited to a specific group but is accessible to all nations, rooted in the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. This understanding encourages believers to embrace diversity within the body of Christ and to extend God's love and grace to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. [19:04]

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively work to break down cultural or religious barriers in your community, demonstrating God's inclusive grace to those around you?


Day 4: Grace as an Unmerited Gift
God's grace is a gift, not something that can be earned or deserved. This grace is made possible through the propitiation by Jesus' blood, which satisfies God's wrath against sin. Understanding this deepens one's appreciation for the magnitude of God's grace and the seriousness of sin. Recognizing one's sinfulness and God's wrath allows believers to truly appreciate the grace offered through Christ. This understanding encourages believers to live lives of gratitude and humility, acknowledging their dependence on God's grace for salvation. [32:55]

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper appreciation for God's grace in your daily life, acknowledging it as an unmerited gift?


Day 5: Understanding Grace Through Wrath
Recognizing one's sinfulness and God's wrath is essential to appreciating His grace. It is only when individuals understand the seriousness of their sin that they can truly grasp the depth of God's love and the significance of the gospel. This understanding encourages believers to live lives of repentance and gratitude, acknowledging their need for God's grace and the transformative power of the gospel. By recognizing the seriousness of sin and the magnitude of God's grace, believers are empowered to live lives that reflect God's righteousness and love to the world. [39:47]

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth." (Romans 1:18, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of your own sinfulness and God's wrath, allowing it to lead you to a greater appreciation of His grace and love?

Quotes

True righteousness is a divine attribute, fully and completely belonging to God. While we can exhibit righteousness in our lives, it is ultimately a reflection of God's own righteousness, which He graciously shares with us. The Apostle Paul's letter to the Romans is a profound exposition on the righteousness of God, explaining why we lack inherent righteousness and how God, through His redemptive work, enables us to obtain it. [00:06:21]

Paul's magnum opus of Romans is all about the righteousness of God, even in part in Romans chapter 9, in defending the righteousness of God, what we sometimes refer to as theodicy, that is to say God's righteousness being defended, being justified. That's what Romans 9 is really all about, what Paul's attempting to do there and even as he begins here in chapter 3 is to help the Romans understand that God is righteous. [00:06:54]

Paul writes, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God to Salvation for everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." Notice what Paul says there in verse 16, "I'm not ashamed of the Gospel." Why? Because it's the power of God to Salvation to everyone who believes. [00:09:20]

The righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, that is to say that even though the law testified to it, even though the law prophesied of it, even though the law and the entirety of the Old Testament pointed to it, it's now been manifested and it's been manifested apart from the law. [00:12:17]

The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. Now, those of you who've studied this passage in depth perhaps know that in verse 22, where it says the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ, that it could very well be rendered or translated not through faith in Jesus Christ, but it could be translated rightly through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. [00:13:32]

We are saved by works, but we're saved by The Works of Jesus Christ, not our own. We are saved by The Works of Jesus Christ and his works alone. We are not saved, we are not declared righteous by God because of our own works. We are saved, declared righteous by God by The Works of Jesus Christ. [00:16:19]

Paul's ultimate point here is that we obtain the righteousness of God, and notice what he says, it's for all who believe. Now, we read that, and none of us is in any way shocked by that. We say, "Well, of course, it's for all who believe." But who's Paul writing to? He's writing to the Roman Christians. [00:18:51]

The grace of God is for them too, that's for all who believe. It's similar to what Jesus had to say to Nicodemus, as Dr. Reader mentioned, it's telling Nicodemus and helping them to understand, John in his gospel helping us all to understand, for God so loved the world, his love is for the Nations. [00:21:29]

And are justified by his grace as a gift. Now, let me ask you a question, does Paul have to use the word gift when he speaks of Grace? Do we have to speak of the free grace of God when we speak of God's grace? Does Paul have to qualify love when he does so often in using qualifications such as genuine love? [00:27:26]

Propitiation is the satisfaction of God's Wrath against sinners. It is God in his character and the outpouring of his wrath, which Paul makes plain right from the outset, as we saw in chapter one, but in verses 18 following, that God's Wrath is being revealed, it's being poured out, and here Paul answers it. [00:32:55]

The message of the Cross and the message of the Gospel is that when you talk to people about the gospel, you have to talk with them about God's Wrath, you have to talk with them about their sin, you have to talk with them about God's just condemnation, you have to talk them about eternality of hell. [00:39:47]

It's only when we understand that we are miserable wretches can we really sing boldly Amazing Grace, and that's why it's so amazing. I was just talking with the staff about it at St. Andrews yesterday, how amazing it is to me when you preach the gospel, it's not just new Christians who come up and say thank you. [00:40:01]

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Transcript
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