Romans Part 15

Faith is mentioned repeatedly throughout Romans 3:21–26. Paul says that righteousness comes "through faith in Jesus Christ," that Jesus Christ is set forth as a propitiation "through faith," and that God is the justifier of the one "who has faith in Jesus." Biblical faith includes at least two major components: belief and obedience. Faith begins by believing that Jesus Christ lived, died, was resurrected, and that God's promises are true. But it also includes obedience—acting on that belief by living the way God commands. If we truly believe that God holds life and death in His hands, and that those who follow Him will live while those who reject Him will die, then that faith must shape how we live. Faith is not a mere mental agreement. Faith must be coupled with obedience.

A helpful illustration of this faith is found in the Passover. In Exodus 12, God passed through Egypt in judgment, killing the firstborn, but He passed over the houses marked with blood, sparing them alive. This distinction helps illustrate Romans 3:25. Judgment is real, blood is necessary, and those covered by the blood are spared. The Passover and the Day of Atonement both help illuminate what Christ's blood accomplishes. God's Holy Days are not empty rituals. They teach us how God views and deals with sin, mercy, judgment, and reconciliation.

This section also brings together several important salvation terms:

• Justification is being made right with God. God forgives sin and removes the death penalty through faith in Jesus Christ.  
• Redemption is being bought back from slavery to sin. The penalty had to be paid, and Christ paid it with His blood.  
• Propitiation, or atonement, is being reconciled to God and brought into full fellowship with Him through the blood of Christ, connected with the mercy seat and the Day of Atonement imagery.  
• Sanctification is being set apart and made holy by God. We do not make ourselves holy merely by keeping the law. God sanctifies us by placing His Holy Spirit in us.

Sanctification also requires repentance. We must put away unholy behavior. The illustration used in the study was simple: if a table is still covered in filth, pouring hand sanitizer on top does not make the table clean. In the same way, we cannot remain in unholiness and claim to be holy. Repentance comes first, forgiveness cleanses us, baptism formally marks that commitment, God gives His Holy Spirit, and He sets us apart as holy. From that point forward, we must continue in obedience and avoid defiling ourselves again through sin.

Paul then asks in verse 27, "Where is boasting then?" His answer is simple: "It is excluded." We have nothing to brag about. Justification, redemption, propitiation, and sanctification come by God's power and mercy, not our own greatness. Paul continues, 

"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law." (Romans 3:28)

This statement must be read carefully. Paul is not saying the law is done away. He is saying that the deeds of the law do not earn justification.

A major mistake in Protestant history was adding the word "alone" to this thought by saying that a man is justified by faith alone. James 2:24 directly corrects that idea: 

"You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only." 

James also writes, 

"Even the demons believe and tremble!" 

Demons believe many true facts about God, but they disobey. Mere belief is not saving faith. We are justified by faith apart from earning it through law-keeping, but biblical faith is never separated from obedience. Faith without obedience is reduced to belief only, and belief only is not enough.

Paul closes the chapter by asking, 

"Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles?" 

His answer is, 

"Yes, of the Gentiles also." (Romans 3:29)

There is one God, and He justifies both Jew and Gentile through faith. He then makes one of the clearest statements in the book: 

"Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law." (Romans 3:31)

Faith does not overthrow the law. Faith does not make the law empty or void. Faith establishes the law. If we truly believe God, we will take His law seriously. Faith leads us to obey, not to dismiss obedience. Paul could hardly be clearer. The law is not done away by faith. Properly understood, faith upholds the law because faith believes God's judgments, God's promises, and God's way of life.

Epistles of Paul is a course taught at ABC by Mr. Steve Myers. Recordings from the 2023–2024 class year are available on the ABC website.

UYA Team | uya@ucg.org  

United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.