Family Chapel

As Paul has unpacked the blessings that come with justification by faith, he highlights just how great a blessing justification is by presenting a "before" and "after" contrast between where we used to be and where we are now. Before in Adam, we belonged to a fallen humanity condemned to death. But now in Christ, we belong to a redeemed humanity justified for life. Jesus is the "greater Adam", whose exclusive and exhaustive work paints a brand new picture.

Previously, Paul had just laid out that justification comes by faith and uses Abraham as an example. Now in Romans 5, Paul briefly lays out the multitude of blessings that come with our justification through faith. We have peace with God, and we can now find access into his unending grace. Furthermore, we have joy even in our sufferings because it produces hope. And this hope does not fail us because it has been proven through God's own love for us.

The Apostle Paul has laid out the heart of the gospel message, which is that we are justified before God not on the basis of our works, but on the basis of what Jesus has done. But how do we receive such righteousness? We receive Christ's righteousness by faith, and by faith alone. In this passage, Paul brings up the example of Abraham to show that God has always justified on the basis of faith alone. The outlook of such justifying faith is trusting God to do what we can't do for ourselves, and the outworking of such justifying faith is faithfully doing what God has called us to do. As such, we are invited to trust in Jesus for our justification and to faithfully follow after him.

Here in chapter 3, we get to the crux, or turning point, of the gospel message. Paul has articulated the fullness of man’s depravity, both Jews and Gentiles alike, and their inability to attain righteousness for themselves. All had sinned, and none could save themselves. But now the righteousness of God, promised and foreshadowed from the Old Testament, has been revealed through the person of Jesus Christ. This righteousness may now be received through faith apart from the law of works. This is the glory and hope of the gospel message.

After laying out how God's judgment comes upon those who blatantly sin, Paul turns the tables and shows that those who are self-assured, morally-upstanding, and religiously-devout are just as much in danger of God's judgment through their religiosity. Religiosity is the attempt to secure righteousness before God through religious performance. As such, we need to repent of our religiosity just as much as we need to repent of our blatant sins. Thankfully, the gospel invites us to rest in something far better - not in what we do, but in what Jesus has already done for us.

As Paul lays out the gospel message, he will first explain God's just wrath on all unrighteousness. There is no good news without first knowing the sobering truth of the bad news. Paul explains the fullness of the depravity of the human condition where we were given up to our idolatry, lusts, and rebellion. This highlights not only our utter need for a savior, but also the glory of God's salvation.

With the introductory portion of his letter, the Apostle Paul highlights the central theme of his entire letter: the gospel of God. The gospel of God is the good news of God's salvation for everyone who believes. As such, it fulfills the promises of the Old Testament, it is centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ, and it has a missional impulse to reach all nations.

Andrew was one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus. But he is one of the lesser-known disciples, especially since he was so often overshadowed by his older brother, Peter. But despite Andrew’s relative lack of screen time on the pages of Scripture, there are some very helpful things we can glean from him about Jesus. Through Andrew, we see that Jesus is worth surrendering everything to follow, that Jesus is able to multiply anything far beyond measure, and that Jesus empowers us to fear nothing with his victory over death.

As Boaz carries out his work of redeeming Ruth and Naomi, he reflects God's greater work of redemption. Through Boaz, we see that God's work of redemption is motivated by great love, marked by great cost, and secures great renewal. God's work of redemption is perfectly displayed in Jesus, who lovingly lays down his own life to redeem his people.

God's sovereign and loving hand is at work, and rather than lying around in passivity, Ruth decides to take a risk and pursue Boaz, who is a kinsmen-redeemer. Even in the midst of complications, Ruth and Naomi stand resilient and hopeful. This story not only points to Jesus who becomes our very own kinsmen-redeemer, but also reminds us that we may take steps forward in boldness and stand resilient in setbacks because God's sovereign hand and loving-kindness is upon our lives as well.