Bible Study - Language of Faith (3) - Salvation - Romans 3:9-28 - March 15, 2020

Bible Study – Language of Faith (3) – Salvation – March 15, 2020


This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled, “Holy Vocabulary: Unpacking the Language of Faith.”


Our focus scripture is Romans 3:20-28.


JESUS made it possible for us to be righteous before GOD.


Let’s read Romans 3:9-19:

The Whole World Guilty before God

⁹ What then? Are we any better off?^[d] Not at all! For we have already charged that both Jews and Gentiles^[e] are all under sin,^{[f] 10} as it is written:

There is no one righteous, not even one.
¹¹ There is no one who understands;
there is no one who seeks God.
¹² All have turned away;
all alike have become worthless.
There is no one who does what is good,
not even one.^[g]
13 Their throat is an open grave;
they deceive with their tongues.^[h]
Vipers’ venom is under their lips.^[i]
14 Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.^[j]
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood;
¹⁶ ruin and wretchedness are in their paths,
¹⁷ and the path of peace they have not known.^[k]
18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.^[l]

¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are subject to the law,^[m] so that every mouth may be shut and the whole world may become subject to God’s judgment.^[n]

The Apostle Paul made it clear to the Jews, Christians in name only and Gentiles that all are sinners and in need of salvation. Why? It is because the Law is rigid, condemns and is absent of GOD’S Grace. Is there a better way to stand righteous before GOD? YES!!!


What is “salvation?” Salvation from what? Salvation from eternal death. It all goes back to the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve sinned by eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. GOD told Adam the instant they ate the forbidden fruit he would die. Eve was tempted and ate. She in turn offered the fruit to Adam and he ate. They lost their eternal life and inherited eternal death and so has their offspring since. Do you want eternal life restored to you and your family, friends and others? Read on ----


What does it mean to inherit “eternal death?” It means that at the instant of physical death, the person who dies is eternally separated from GOD. Some may say, “Well, I am separated from GOD now and I am managing.” A person can think that because he or she does not have a frame of reference. The person who is lost or alienated from GOD does not know The Truth, JESUS. GOD reveals Himself to all people through the Holy Spirit. Every person has a choice either to accept JESUS as his or her Savior or reject JESUS. This is GOD’S redemptive plan as written in 2 Corinthians 5:21:


²¹ He (GOD) made the one (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin^[e] for us (those who accept JESUS as their Savior), so that in him (JESUS) we (those who place their faith in JESUS) might become the righteousness of God.


In last week’s study, we dealt with being “Lost.” The Bible describes a person who is lost in darkness, Spiritual darkness. When a person is in darkness what does that person desire? He or she desires light and a path to safety. Faith in JESUS provides that light and is the path for salvation from eternal death. JESUS is the light of the world. JESUS/GOD came to earth 100% human, yet GOD. JESUS was physical just as you and I are physical. JESUS died just as you and I will die one day. JESUS was buried. On the third day, GOD raised JESUS from the physically dead to be eternally alive. The resurrection of JESUS is the proof that HE conquered eternal death. JESUS by the shedding of HIS sinless blood paid, in full, the eternal death sentence GOD had placed upon mankind.


Since JESUS gave HIS life for your sins is this all you have to do? The barrier of sin has been dealt with. The path to GOD is open. There is one thing every person must do. Every person must place his or her faith in JESUS and when a person does, the miracle of Spiritual rebirth takes place instantly. The person becomes Spiritually born-again. He or she instantly becomes a Child of GOD to never be Spiritually unborn. Can you ever become physically unborn? NO!


GOD via JESUS is The Light that shines in Spiritual darkness. JESUS is THE hope for all in darkness and THE path to eternal life being restored the instant that person places his or her faith in JESUS.


My wife is facilitating a Bible Study led by Kelly Minter entitled, “Finding God Faithful” a study on the life of Joseph. Kelly brought out a point, we thought was profound.


In Genesis 37:26

²⁶ Judah said to his brothers, “What do we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?


We read that Judah was responsible for Joseph’s life being spared.


Then in Genesis 44:33-34:

³³ Now please let your servant (Judah) remain here as my lord’s slave, in place of the boy (Benjamin). Let him go back with his brothers. ³⁴ For how can I go back to my father without the boy? I could not bear to see the grief that would overwhelm my father.”


JESUS came from the tribe of Judah. In Genesis, we see that Judah was responsible for Joseph’s life being spared. Judah was willing to take the place of Benjamin. JESUS takes the place for all who place their faith in HIM. The Old Testament is replete with scripture revealing the purpose of JESUS for the salvation of all who place their faith in HIM. The life of Joseph is such an example.


Genesis 45:4-8:

⁴ Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please, come near me,” and they came near. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt. ⁵ And now don’t be grieved or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because God sent me ahead of you to preserve life. ⁶ For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting. ⁷ God sent me ahead of you to establish you as a remnant within the land and to keep you alive by a great deliverance.^{[b] 8} Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God.   

Are we in the place that GOD has chosen for us to be - in the right place at the right time to influence others or for others to receive salvation?

Will good works result in salvation? No! So, what is the path to salvation? Let’s explore!


Let’s read Romans 3:20-22:

²⁰ For no one will be justified^[o] in his sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.

The Righteousness of God through Faith

²¹ But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, attested by the Law and the Prophets.^{[p] 22} The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ^[q] to all who believe, since there is no distinction.

Faith is a three-legged stool – Faith means knowledge of the truth, an assent to truth and trusting in truth. Faith is trusting in what JESUS has done on behalf of all humans for our salvation. Righteousness is only available through faith in JESUS.

Faith does not save us. It is through faith that a person receives salvation. The object of our faith is JESUS and it is through faith in JESUS that a person receives the gift of salvation.

Salvation is available to all people but only those who take the step of faith, believing in JESUS, are saved. Have you taken that step of faith? If not, now is that opportunity. JESUS, I ask YOU to forgive me for my sins believing that you gave YOUR sinless life by the shedding of YOUR blood to atone for my sins. Thank you for YOUR gift of salvation from eternal death to walk eternally with YOU as my SAVIOR.

The Apostle Paul addressed the Law. As you recall, Paul was a Pharisee who studied under the Jewish teacher Gamaliel, (Acts 22:3) before becoming a Christian.

Paul believed that following the Law was the way to GOD until he experienced the truth when he placed his faith in JESUS.

All the Law can do is to show a person how he or she fails to keep the letter of the Law and the spirit of the Law. JESUS addressed this as written in Matthew 5 - ²¹ “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder,^[d] and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. ²² But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister^[e] will be subject to judgment.

And in Matthew 5 - ²⁷ “You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery.^{[k] 28} But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

In verse 21, Paul stated, pay attention, because something major took place using the words “but now.” What event took place that changed the dynamics - “apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, attested by the Law and the Prophets.^{[p] 22} The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ^[q] to all who believe, since there is no distinction.

Look back to 2 Corinthians 5:21. Those who place their faith in JESUS are made righteous in the eyes of GOD.

Is any human free from the need of redemption from eternal death? NO!

Let’s read Romans 3:23-24:

²³ For all have sinned and fall short of the^[r] glory of God. ²⁴ They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Is any person free from the need to be redeemed? The answer is NO! Why? It is because “all have sinned and fall short of the^[r] glory of God.” “All” includes every human. So how can anyone escape judgment? Place your faith and trust in JESUS The CHRIST. JESUS stated it best in John 5:24 - ²⁴ “Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

What idea does the word “justified” carry? Just-as-if-I-never-sinned. The shed blood of JESUS cleanses any person who places his or her faith in JESUS from all sin – past, present and future.

How can that be? This is GOD’S redemptive plan by HIS Grace. GOD’S Grace results in GOD declaring the vilest person who places his or her faith in JESUS redeemed from eternal death and Spiritually born into HIS Family. The word “redemption” carries the idea of purchasing back something of value. When there were slaves, their freedom could be purchased. When the price was paid to purchase the slave’s freedom, the slave was set free. The freed slave had responsibility to live and enjoy his or her freedom and so do those who receive salvation.

The person who has been redeemed is like a new born baby and needs the nourishment that comes from Spiritual food – Bible study, talking to GOD (praying) and putting into action what The Holy Spirit is teaching him or her as HE gives opportunity. Every born-again Christian has been given the Holy Spirit as his or her guarantee of salvation and to lead and guide their lives as directed by GOD. The indwelling Holy Spirit is every born-again Christian’s assurance, comforter, guide and teacher.

JESUS was beaten horribly and then crucified upon the Roman cross to pay, in full, the price to redeem any person who places his or her faith in JESUS. Notice what is written in several scriptures (Amplified Bible):

1 Corinthians 6:20

You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body.

Galatians 3:13

Christ purchased our freedom and redeemed us from the curse of the Law and its condemnation by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs [crucified] on a tree (cross)”—

Ephesians 1:14

The Spirit is the guarantee [the first installment, the pledge, a foretaste] of our inheritance until the redemption of God’s own [purchased] possession [His believers], to the praise of His glory.

Why did GOD do all of this? It is because HE loves everyone who has been, is and will be.

Let’s read Romans 3:25-28:

²⁵ God presented him (JESUS) as an atoning sacrifice^[s] in his blood, received through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his restraint God passed over the sins previously committed. ²⁶ God presented him to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so that he would be righteous and declare righteous^[t] the one who has faith in Jesus.

The phrase “atoning sacrifice” was a term used by the pagans to “appease” or “pacify” the wrath of the various gods. In the Jewish religion “atoning sacrifice” took place on the mercy seat. The mercy seat was the place on the altar where blood was sprinkled by the priest for the forgiveness of sin. The mercy seat was the place of atonement for sin. CHRIST became the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrifices because HE became the atoning, once for all, sacrifice for sin.

Notice the word “restraint.” GOD had to be patience because there was a stepwise process:

Revealed:

Verse 21 -  ²¹ But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, attested by the Law and the Prophets.^{[p] 22} The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ^[q] to all who believe, since there is no distinction.

Presented and Demonstrated:

Verse 25 - ²⁵ God presented him as an atoning sacrifice^[s] in his blood, received through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his restraint God passed over the sins previously committed.

Under the Law, sacrifices were made in the temple on the Day of Atonement by the high priest in private. Whereas, the death of JESUS was public and demonstrated to all the world. The crucifixion of JESUS was a public act to reveal to all the world that GOD’S only sinless SON willingly gave HIS perfect life to pay, in full, for all sin. GOD made JESUS to be sin so that all who place their faith in JESUS are made pure before GOD and become righteous before GOD.

What does that mean? It means that all who place their faith in JESUS are cleansed from all sin by HIS shed blood and are made righteous. Who makes born-again believers righteous? GOD declares every born-again believer righteous based upon the atoning sacrifice of JESUS. What does that mean for every born-again Christian? It means they are GOD’S Son or Daughter with all the rights and privileges as GOD Child. As such, HIS Children can walk into the throne room of GOD and affectionately call HIM Daddy (Abba)

Consider Hebrews 4:14-16:

¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

Romans 8:14-16:

¹⁴ For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons (daughters). ¹⁵ For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba^] ,^[g Father!” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,

Salvation from eternal death is GOD’S redemptive plan for mankind.

The object of our faith is JESUS and it is through faith in JESUS that a person receives the gift of salvation. Salvation is available to all people but only those who take the step of faith, believing in JESUS are saved.

JESUS fulfilled the Law and lived a sinless life. HE gave HIS life for the propitiation of our sins. JESUS shed blood paid in full the sin debt every person owes. But every person must place his or her faith in JESUS. Doing so saves a person from the wrath of GOD and renders that person righteous before GOD through the miracle of Spiritual rebirth.   

The problem of how GOD, WHO is HOLY, can receive unholy people into HIS presence has been solved! Don’t miss this opportunity to become GOD’S Son or Daughter through the miracle of Spiritual rebirth.

And that is salvation!

Blessings!!!