Romans 3:21-31
21But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it-- 22the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 27Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30since God is one. He will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
1. The cross of Christ displays God's Righteousness
25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
The cross is to reveal God's righteousness in that he forgives the sins of those who have faith in the death, burial and ressurection of his son.
2. The cross displays God's Grace
27Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.
The cross displays God' s grace because it shows us that our salvation is given by him and through him. In the cross we have nothing to boast because God has done everything, he has even given us the faith to believe.
3. God's consistancy is on Display
29Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,
Verse 29 tells us that God is consistant because he has one standard for judging. His standard is the same for the jew (who have the law) and the gentile (who dont have the law).
30since God is one. He will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith
Verse 30 tells us that he will save the the jew and gentile the same, that is through faith and faith alone. This shows his consistancy in salvation. He will justify through faith because of what Christ did on the cross.
4. The cross displays God's holiness
31Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
God's law is a reflection of his holiness. God's holiness demands payment for sin, therefore Christ died on the cross to fulfill this payment that God's holiness demands. On our own we could not pay the penalty for our sin, so christ, in his loving kindness gave us his life as a holy sacrifice that we might live for the glory of the Father.
God is fully glorified in the death of his son.
John Macarther
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