By Robert E. Jackson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
Justified
Romans 3:21–4:3
Through Faith (3:21–24)
Paul is clear that both Jew and Greek are guilty of breaking God’s law. The depth of human sinfulness makes it impossible for us to extricate ourselves.
Left on our own, no one will be justified before God. The good news is sinful humans can be declared righteous before God through faith in Jesus alone. Using a metaphor of a court trial, Paul states that by faith, people are justified. In justification, Jesus’ righteousness is granted to us.
In other words, God knows you are guilty, but because of His perfection and your faith in Jesus, He looks at you and treats you as innocent. Justification by faith means we are in a right relationship with Christ because He has imputed His righteousness to us just as if it were ours. Salvation then is an undeserved gift; Christians are saved by grace through faith.
In Jesus (3:25–26)
People often say, “A loving God will not judge anyone.” In truth, a loving God must be just. Suppose you witness someone murdering a close family member. You drag the person to the judge who hears the case and then says, “I am a loving judge, I set this man free.” You would scream for justice! This judge, because he is not just, is a mockery to all that is good.
To demonstrate His righteousness, God justly punishes the wicked. Not only is justification presented as a legal declaration, but also humans are justified because of the propitiation or appeasement of the atoning sacrifice of Christ. How can a just God overlook our sins? The sacrifice system is the answer.
Jesus is the perfect sacrifice whose blood was spilled and whose life was voluntarily offered in our place. This costly sacrifice enabled our sins to be “passed over.” Furthermore, Jesus redeems or purchases the captive’s freedom by paying the ransom Himself. On the cross Jesus cried, “tetelestai,” meaning it is finished. This word can also mean paid in full. He bought you and freed you from slavery. The word also connotes a power in proclamation; once God sets you free, you cannot be sold back into slavery ever again.
In sum, Jesus is the only solution to our sin problem. He alone is the just justifier who paid the price for our sins once and for all. Praise His holy name!
For All People (3:27–31)
Since people are saved through faith in Jesus, no place for boasting exists among God’s children. Neither Jews nor Gentiles have done anything to deserve God’s grace.
Salvation, then, is a gift available to all people who accept justification from the hand of a merciful God.
If we are saved by grace through faith alone, does this mean the law is nullified? Paul says absolutely not. Obedience to the law is concerned with what we can do for ourselves. The way of grace is concerned with what God can do and has done for us. Loving gratitude, not boasting, is the attitude of Christians.
Including Abraham (4:1–3)
Paul points to Abraham to illustrate the abstract idea of faith. The Jews only had to look to the father of their faith to see faith in action. Abraham believed God implicitly. Paul proves that he wasn’t justified by works but rather because he gave his entire life believing in God’s promise.
Simply put, Abraham was the embodiment of faith. William Barclay states, “Abraham entered into a right relationship with God not because he did all kinds of legal works but because he cast himself, just as he was, on God’s promise.” Like Abraham all Christians are justified by grace through faith alone.
In my life this truth leads to an overwhelming sense of amazement of a God who loves me this much to justify me through the death of His only Son.
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