Trinity for Norman

After articulating his gospel centering on a righteousness from God through justification by faith in Jesus Christ alone, Paul (in Romans 4) has pointed us to Abraham and David as our forerunners who received the blessed status from God as righteous heirs of the world. How can anyone embrace this God who justifies the ungodly? This can only occur by irresistible grace.

Abraham’s and our status as righteous heir came through faith, not law(v12).

A status as righteous heir did not (v9-12) and could not come from law (v14-15).

Therefore the status as righteous heir and all blessings of life flow from irresistible grace. (v16-17 and Ezekiel 37; 2 Cor 4:4-6)

The basis of irresistible grace is The Righteous Heir in whom we place our faith. (v16 and 2 Corinthians 5:21)

After articulating his gospel centering on a righteousness from God through justification by faith in Jesus Christ alone, Paul has pointed us to Abraham and David as those who received the blessed status of justified by faith, apart from works, now he uses Abraham’s circumcision as further proof which will enable us to understand our baptism and how it relates to our justification

I.When was Abraham counted righteous?

When was Abraham circumcised?

How does this demonstrate Paul’s point that justification is not by works, but by faith alone?

How does baptism then function as a sign and seal today of righteousness received by faith?

In Romans 3:21-26, Paul shared that justification by faith alone is received by us freely by God's grace alone, accomplished entirely on account of the redemption which is in Jesus Christ, as God set Jesus forth as a propitiation, God was vindicated: just and a justified, and worthy of our worship! In Romans 3:27-31, Paul follows the world's greatest paragraph by demonstrating how our theology matters to how we consider ourselves, others, and God and his law.

After articulating his gospel centering on righteousness from God through justification by faith in Jesus Christ alone, Paul points us to God's justifying Abraham (Genesis 15:6) as proof that justification is by faith alone (Romans 4:1-3), and David's testimony in Psalm 32 (Romans 4:7-8).

Paul clarifies that God justifies the ungodly through the costly free gift counted to the sinner who believes, not due to any works we do. Only those who are justified in this manner can live happy/blessed.

After articulating his gospel centering on a righteousness from God through justification by faith in Jesus Christ alone, Paul points us to Abraham as proof.

I. Abraham was a sinner like us, yet counted as righteous by GodII. Justification by faith saved Abraham from his past (the flesh).III. Justification by faith secured Abraham’s future (his works can’t undo God’s declaration).IV. So should it be for you, only believe God, and be justified.

In Romans 3:21-26, Paul shared that justification by faith alone is received by us freely by God's grace alone, accomplished entirely on account of the redemption which is in Jesus Christ, as God set Jesus forth as a propitiation, God was vindicated: just and a justified, and worthy of our worship! In Romans 3:27-31, Paul follows the world's greatest paragraph by demonstrating how our theology matters to how we consider ourselves, others, and God and his law.

In v25-26, Paul continues to explain what “justification” is.  Justification puts God in an awkward, apparent tension of being unjust in which God can only be vindicated if Jesus was, in fact, offered as a propitiation sacrifice. A vindicated God is a God who is worthy of our worship and our full devotion.

Justification is received by faith alone.

But this does not answer God’s personal anger/wrath against sin.

Unless Jesus functioned as a propitiatory sacrifice

Then God is both just and justifier of the one who has faith.

Paul continues to explain what “justification” is, and what it costs, and what are the implications for believers in Jesus of living in freedom.

Justification is founded upon a redemption which is free for all believers.

Justification was paid for by the immeasurably valuable two halves of redemption:a.Jesus’ passive obedience b.Jesus’ active obedience

Justification and Freedom

In Romans 3:24, Paul shares that justification by faith alone is by God's grace alone. It is not a cooperation of man with God's grace, but justification is an act whereby God declares sinners righteous and forgives their sin on account of Christ's redeeming work imputed to them.

In Romans 3:21-23, Paul begins to share the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ alone. We see that with the gospel comes the central event in human history where a new era begins to overlap with the old era.

We must make clear that by the works of the law, the world will not be justified, but will be held accountable:

Accountable for being under sin’s dominion (9-10a).

Accountable for practice of sin in thoughts/words/action (10b-18).

Accountable in knowing silence (19-20).