Gift of Grace: Romans 3:21-26 (Sermon)
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WELCOME / TODAY
Good morning. What a few weeks we have had. We are living in a crazy world. It can feel like the world is spinning out of control. I have had more conversations about current events since 2020. I am so glad that we serve a God who is on the throne and in control. Nothing shocks him. His Spirit is at work in us, the church, and our country. And what some mean for evil, God turns for good. We are seeing people come to faith, return to church, and I spoke to one young woman who said she is reading the Bible more after the death of Charlie Kirk. Friends, we don’t need to be scared in these dark days. The Bible says greater is he who is in us than he who is in the world (1John 4:4). In this world we will have trouble, but Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33). And all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus, we will be persecuted (2Timothy 3:12). The bleaker the world gets, the brighter the good news shines. Where some will try to silence the message of Jesus, we can look back and see that Christ is building the church, and the gates of hell won’t prevail against it. Nothing can stop him (Matthew 16:18). He is on the move. Our job is to receive his grace and courageously spread it to all who will listen. What grace is that? That is precisely what we will talk about today. So listen up.
OVERVIEW
We are continuing our study in the book of Romans. Paul has been writing to the church. Some recipients had Jewish heritage, and others did not. Some were religious and others weren’t. Paul was sharing the good news about Jesus before he arrived on his way to Spain in the first century. The church knew this good news, but there was a way that the truth of Jesus could transform the soul and work into the depths of one’s being that still could be realized. Paul’s letter helped (and helps) people make that leap. The gospel has a power that can result in unity with diverse people and offer spectacular grace. For this to happen, we need to be aware of our spiritual need, which the letter to the Romans elucidates. The particular part we will explore takes us from problem to solution, from empty hopes to rock solid facts, from depravity to courageous faith.
TEXT
I am going to ask D.B. read for us. Would you please stand with us in honor of God’s Word, if you are able?
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 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. It 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. (Romans 3:21 26, ESV)
PRAYER
The Word of the Lord, Thanks be to God. Let’s pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word, it is light and life to us. Help us comprehend how your grace justifies us through the redemption and propitiation in Christ Jesus. In his name we pray, Amen. You may be seated.
STRUCTURE & MAIN IDEA
This passage is part of an argument Paul made about the totality of people’s sin. The reality is that the wrath of God has been revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness, not just that of the non-religious. Verses 21 through 26 unfold like a cascading stream, flowing naturally and reading like we are peeking into Paul’s brain. Paul articulated that God’s righteousness has worked out justification as a gift for all who believe.
VERSE 21
Look at verses 21 and 22:
“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it. The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe” (Romans 3:21–22a, ESV).
These verses speak of the righteousness of God.
DEFINING RIGHTEOUSNESS
How would you define this? [] Let me help you. Vine’s Bible Dictionary defines it as “essentially the same as … [God’s] faithfulness, or truthfulness … which is consistent with his own nature and promises” (Vines Dictionary p. 980). Romans teaches that God’s character is on display through his creation and our conscience. The Old Testament reveals further God’s nature and what is right and wrong. It teaches us that God is faithful, honest, true, just, and good. He keeps his word and never breaks it. When he says something will happen, it does.
ALL HAVE SINNED
That is not always the case for us. We can lie to protect our image, make things easier, manipulate, and avoid the awkward. But God is always pure and holy. This sounds a lot like Chapter 1, verses 16 and 17:
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith” (Romans 1:16–17a, ESV).
The prophets predicted a day would come when God’s righteousness would be plain to all. We read about it in the first and last chapters of Romans.
“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures” (Romans 1:1–2, ESV).
And in Chapter 16:
Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God. (Romans 16:25–26, ESV)
God’s righteousness and our means by which we are in the right are now public information.
VERSES 22 AND 23
Let’s continue reading, looking at verses 22 and 23, which demonstrate our unrighteousness.
“For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:22b–23a, ESV).
This echoes what Paul wrote in verses 9 through 20. Every one of us, from the youngest to the oldest, from men to women, has wandered from God’s good path. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6a, ESV). The Bible clearly teaches that no one is righteous, not even one. No one is good in comparison to God’s standard of perfection. If you doubt it, re-read Romans 3. And if you doubt that, turn on whatever news outlet you want. And if you continue to be skeptical about the nature of humanity, where do you come up with your sense of innate goodness? It would be nice. However, we have to ask ourselves, whom do we trust our sentiments, or wishful thinking, or God’s Word? I choose God. If we are truly honest with ourselves, we can all point to a time of regret, selfishness, pride, and guilt. We know that we need God’s grace and mercy. No one is exempt.
ALL ARE JUSTIFIED
If that is the case, how do we get God’s help? I am glad you asked. Look at what comes next:
“For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified by his grace as a gift” (Romans 3:23b–24a, ESV).
So, just as the Jew and Non-Jew are both sinful, they both can be justified.
DEFINING JUSTICE
What did that mean? Justification has the same root word as righteousness. It means to be deemed right. The unrighteous can be righteous. That is incredible. How? Look at verses 23 through 24 again.
“For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified by his grace as a gift” (Romans 3:23b–24a, ESV).
It is a gift. Romans 6:23 states,
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23, ESV).
And Ephesians 2:8 and 9 reiterate,
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:7–9, ESV).
We don’t earn (or deserve) our justification, our salvation, or our entrance into the Promised Land, spiritual Canaan, and Heavenly home forever. Why? Because they are gifts by God’s grace.
KIDS GIFTS
Can I have a student up here? I need help illustrating this. I have a gift for you. Okay, here it is. Open it. Wow! Isn’t that amazing? That is all yours. You can take it home. Or, you can eat it right now in front of us, if your parents are okay with it. You just owe me $10.66 plus shipping and handling. Here is the receipt. You don’t have any money? I will take Venmo and PayPal. How about your parents? I take IOU’s. Wait a minute. Is this a gift if I am asking you for payment? NO! In the same way, God’s gift to us would not be a free gift if he required us to pay. (You can have a seat.) This reminds me of those people who offer to wash your windows in other countries and then if you accept their services, they expect to be paid.
PAYMENT
Paul wrote that this legal declaration of rightness is offered by grace as a free gift. God’s righteousness has worked out justification as a gift for all who believe. Where is the catch? How does the saying go, “There is no free _________[lunch].” Someone has to pay. I paid for those chocolates. Who paid for God’s grace? Who paid for justification, eternal life, and salvation? Keep reading.
REDEMPTION
Paul answered that in Romans 3:24:
“For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23b–24b, ESV).
God paid the price through Christ Jesus. When I go to Meijer, I have to remember to grab my coupons to redeem them. I turn them in to get money off my bill. What do we exchange to be declared right before God? Jesus.
GALATIANS
Galatians Chapter 3 verse 13 says,
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’” (Galatians 3:13, ESV).
Jesus paid the ultimate price by becoming a curse, dying in our place on a log that was hewn into a tool of torture. We are no longer cursed because 2000 years ago he was. We don’t carry our debt because he paid it.
EPHESIANS
Ephesians 1:7 tells us,
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7, ESV).
Redemption wrought forgiveness by his blood. What did we do wrong? Again, I am glad you asked. Paul mentioned several things (I counted thirty-eight) in the first three chapters. We see,
Ungodliness
Unrighteousness
Suppressing the truth
Not honoring God
Not thanking God
Foolishness
Exchanging God for idols
Lust
Impurity
Dishonoring and shameful use of one’s body
Embracing lies
Evil
Coveting
Malice
Envy
Murder
Contention
Deception
Gossip
Slander
Hating God
Insolence
Haughty
Boasting
Inventing evil
Disobedience to parents,
Faithless,
Heartless
Ruthless
Approving evil
Being judgmental
Being impenitent
Self-seeking
Hypocritical
Adulterous
Stealing
Full of curses and bitterness
And not fearing God
These don’t include every Commandment from Mount Sinai and the Old Testament (there are some 600). One person asked Jesus to summarize them. He came up with a primary one and a secondary one. The primary was? [To love God with all your heart.] And the secondary was? [To love your neighbor as yourself.] Friends, sin is much more prevalent in our lives than we can admit or conceive. It includes things we do and don’t, things conscious and unconscious. How have you sinned? Think about that for a moment. [] If you are aware of your sinful words, thoughts, and actions, if you can recall how you have not loved God with all your heart or people as yourself, what do you do with residual guilt and shame? That is where our verses offer comfort and forgiveness in God. A fancy word for this is absolution. How does God forgive us? It is by grace as a gift, a free gift.
1 PETER
Peter, the Apostle, wrote,
“You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:18–19, ESV).
Jesus said that he didn’t come to earth to be served, but to serve us by giving his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). He paid the price for our forgiveness with his body and blood. The power of sin over us has been broken. God’s righteousness has worked out justification as a gift for all who believe. This gift is way better than a candy bar or even a million dollars.
PROPITIATION
How does this exchange work? Look at verse 25:
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith” (Romans 3:23b–25, ESV).
God brought redemption through propitiation. Propitiation means the removal of God’s anger. All the Old Testament sacrifices symbolically had their meaning locked away into this one historical event 2000 years ago. Leviticus teaches that life is in the blood. God cares about it. It is precious. It is not a mirage or a game. And Jesus gave his blood, body, and life to take away God’s wrath on our behalf. He was our substitute. And consequently, this resulted in what verse 25b states,
“This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins” (Romans 3:25b, ESV).
This verse teaches that God bore with us; he was patient with humanity, instead of wiping them out. In God’s perfect timing, he overlooked past sins. He passed over them, brought Jesus to come live, die, and rise. He let us live until we had faith in him. And he continues to wait to return until the full number of people repent and believe in him. Friends, our lives teeter on a balance. We are
A heartbeat away from death,
Minutes away from not having enough oxygen,
Days away from not having enough water.
Weeks away from dying of hunger.
Each year, we are closer to our imminent physical demise. Yet, God preserved us today to worship, serve, and enjoy him until that day. He has not concluded history so that more might come to believe in him. He wishes none to perish. And he passes over sins and puts the penalty of some of those sins on his Son. This shows how good and right God is. He keeps his promises. He will not punish us for sins that Christ has already paid for. The work is finished. God is just. Jump to verse 26.
“It 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” (Romans 3:26, ESV).
This passage tells us. God is perfect in his judgment and right in all he does. He pays the precise price necessary to save people from their transgressions. The Lord can be just and justify, right and merciful. Who else can do that? No one. Only God can. How? Through Jesus.
APPLICATION
God’s righteousness has worked out justification as a gift for all who believe. God is,
Wrathful (25),
Glorious (23),
Righteous (21-22, 25-26),
Just (26),
Generous (25),
And patient (25).
We are,
Sinners (23),
Who can be recipients (24),
And believers (22, 25, 26).
If we put our trust in Jesus’s death for our hope, we have,
Justification (vs. 24, 26),
Redemption (vs. 24),
Propitiation,
Absolution,
And salvation.
Can I get an AMEN?
STORY
In 1776, in England, Reverend Jehoiada Brewer penned a hymn that fits what Paul has been teaching:
Hail sov’reign love that first began,
The scheme to rescue fallen man;
Hail matchless, free, eternal grace,
That gave my soul a Hiding-Place.
Against the God that rules the sky,
I fought with hands uplifted high;
Despis'd the mentions of his grace,
Too proud to seek a Hiding-Place.
Enwrapt in thick Egyptian night,
And fond of darkness more than light,
Madly I ran the sinful race,
Secure without a Hiding-Place.
But thus the eternal counsel ran,
Almighty Love arrest that man;
I felt the arrows of distress,
And saw that I’d no Hiding-Place.
Indignant Justice stood in view,
To Sina’s fiery mount I flew;
But Justice cry’d with frowning face,
This mountain is no Hiding-Place.
Ere long a Heav’nly voice I heard,
And Mercy’s angel form appear’d,
She led me on with placid pace,
To Jesus as my Hiding-Place.
Should storms of sevenfold thunder roll,
And shake the globe from pole to pole,
No flaming bolt should daunt my face,
For Jesus is my Hiding-Place.
On him almighty vengeance fell,
That must have sunk the world to hell:
He bore it for the chosen race,
And thus became their Hiding-Place.
A few more rolling suns at most,
Shall land us on fair Canaan’s coast,
Where we shall sing the song of grace,
And see our glorious Hiding-Place.
R.
FAITH
You have to have faith in him for this gift to be yours. Maybe you don’t. If that is you, believe and be saved, before it is too late! Today could be the day of your salvation. Don’t wait. And Jesus will be your hiding place in this scary world.
SHARING
You may have received this message of incredible news about Jesus. You are forgiven your sins, you have the promise of eternal life, God’s anger is yours no longer, you are redeemed, just, and right in God’s eyes. I gave that child more candy than he could eat. He can share that gift with others. Jesus is greater than our treasurer. He is the greatest gift. Who in your life can you share the good news of Jesus with? Pray daily for those who don’t know this good news. And pray God opens doors to share courageously and boldly our hope. It could mean you go to coffee with a friend and hear about their broken world and offer to pray for them. Perhaps it is sharing a testimony of what God has done for you. God is on the move doing great things church, let’s join him.
PRAYER
Let’s pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word. We are sinners through and through. Thank you for justification, redemption, propitiation, absolution, and salvation. AMEN!
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