Romans 3:9  //  Well then, are we [Jews] better off than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles) are under the control of sin and subject to its power.

Romans 3:19  //  Now we know that whatever the Law [of Moses] says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that [the excuses of] every mouth may be silenced [from protesting] and that all the world may be held accountable to God [and subject to His judgment].

Romans 3:20-26  //  For no person will be justified [freed of guilt and declared righteous] in His sight by [trying to do] the works of the Law. For through the Law we become conscious of sin [and the recognition of sin directs us toward repentance, but provides no remedy for sin].

BUT NOW

But now the righteousness of God has been clearly revealed [independently and completely] apart from the Law, though it is [actually] confirmed by the Law and the [words and writings of the] Prophets. This righteousness of God comes THROUGH FAITH in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction, since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, and are being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved] grace, through the redemption [the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ Jesus, whom God displayed publicly [before the eyes of the world] as a [life-giving] sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation (propitiation) by His blood [to be received] through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness [which demands punishment for sin], because in His forbearance [His deliberate restraint] He passed over the sins previously committed [before Jesus’ crucifixion]. It was to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the One who justifies those who have FAITH in Jesus [and rely confidently on Him as Savior].

Only those who know what it is to be lost can fully appreciate what it means to be found

BUT NOW

Romans 3:23  //  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Romans 1:25  //. …they traded the truth of God for a lie

3 key words:

JUSTIFICATION

REDEMPTION

PROPITIATION

Justification: the action of declaring or making righteous in the sight of God.

Romans 3:24  //  …and are being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved] grace, through the redemption [the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ Jesus.

Justification = Acquittal AND Acceptance

Acquittal means we’re not guilty

Acceptance means we are accepted

Acquittal means we’ve been saved from hell

Acceptance means we’ve been made a child of God

When God looks at you he sees the righteousness of His son.

Redemption-deliverance or release by the payment of a price

Romans 3:24b  //  …justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

Our ransom has been paid by the precious blood of Jesus

Mark 10:45  //  For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many

Propitiation-averting the wrath of God by the offering of a gift

Hebrews 2:17  //  Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people

1 John 2:2  //  He [Jesus Christ] is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world

1 John 4:10  //  In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins

NOW WHAT? How does this glorious reality become ours today?

Not by works, but by FAITH

Romans 3:22  //  This righteousness is given THROUGH FAITH in Jesus Christ to all who believe

Romans 3:25  //   The blessings of propitiation are to be received BY FAITH

Romans 3:26  //  God is shown to be just and the justifier of the one who has FAITH in Jesus

Romans 3:28  //  For we hold that one is justified BY FAITH apart from works of the law

Ephesians 2:8-9  //  For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] THROUGH FAITH. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; 9 not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation].