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Good morning!
We're so glad you chose to join us today!
Each week, we meet in person. We take some time to share joys and concerns, and have a little fellowship. If you have a prayer request, please add it as a comment to this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.
Heavenly Father, thank You that I have been justified by faith, without deeds of the Law or works of the flesh. Thank You that I am accepted because of the Lord Jesus Christ. By faith in Him, I have been clothed in His righteousness and set free from the bondage of the Law. May I live my life by faith and not seek to gain Your approval through deeds of the Law or works of the flesh. Thank You that Christ has set me free so that I may live my life by faith in Him, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. In His name I pray, AMEN.
This week's lesson is on Romans 3:21-30.
Lesson Context
Paul's letter to the Romans was written about AD 58, most likely from Corinth during his third missionary journey. The church in Rome had been influenced by an edict, issued by Emperor Claudius in about AD 49, that had forced Jews living in Rome to leave. The Roman history Suetonius says that Claudius, "banished from Rome all the Jews, who were continually making disturbances at the instigation of one Chrestus," probably referring to Christ. Our book says that this probably caused a divide within the Roman church between Gentile and Jewish believers, with each group contending that it had a better claim of salvation in Christ than the other. Because the Jews were expelled from Rome, the Gentile Christians were the majority in the church there. Their majority status seems to have continued after Jews were allowed to return in Rome, in about AD 54. Much of Paul's letter was directed specifically to the Gentile believers there. Most of the letter to the Romans is gospel. It is perhaps the closest thing in the Bible to a systematic exploration of Christian doctrine. Today's lesson cuts straight to the heart of the matter: what is required for salvation.
God's Righteousness (verses 21-24)
The verse previous to our passage says that, "no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin." For some, the law offers a surefire way to become righteous in God's eyes. All that is required is perfect obedience! Paul separates the law from righteousness. The purpose of the law was never to make a person righteous and thus justify that person. The law was intended to make people aware of their sin. It teaches what God is like, and acted as a guardian until Jesus came to reveal the righteousness of God. The righteousness of God is the gift believers receive. Faith is not just a collection of beliefs but is connected to the person of Jesus Christ. By faith in Jesus, we are eligible to and to receive the gift of being called righteous. This is being made right with God, despite our continued imperfect efforts. Paul makes an aside that everyone has sinned and fallen short. Everyone is lost in sin and living counter to God's will, so salvation for everyone must be attained in the same way. The glory of God can be defined as his presence with his people. God reveals himself through his glory so that people might experience him and honor him. It is a true and holy representation of God's character, in contrast to any idol or other falsehood. As his image-bearers, we were meant to reflect well on our creator by living lives that reflect his holy character, his glory. Sin prevents us from doing this. All who believe are justified. This means God considers that person righteous. It is important that Paul means justification by grace, freely given. This contrasts with a works-based salvation, where one hopes to work hard enough to earn God's pardon. We can never hope to work perfectly hard enough to achieve this.
Christ's Sacrifice (verses 25-26)
In Israel, sacrifices were offered throughout the year for various purposes. A sacrifice of atonement was required by God in order to forgive his people. The mercy seat of the ark of the covenant was the center of the sacrificial system. Only the head priest could go into the holy of holies, and only once each year on the Day of Atonement, to sprinkle blood on the mercy seat. This sacrifice was a mercy from God so that he would forgive their sins. The sacrificial system was a temporary solution. It was made obsolete by Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross. By faith, Jesus' blood accomplishes the atonement we require for the remission of sins. God's forbearance, his patience, was seen in his allowance for animal sacrifice to forgive sins. When Paul says, "at the present time," he is referring to the time since Christ's sacrifice, before the age to come. God desires both justice and mercy for sinners. He could not accurately be called just if he simply turned a blind eye to wrongdoing. Those who have faith in Jesus experience God's mercy and are justified when they are covered in Christ's blood and made new.
Human Boasting (verses 27-30)
Some Jewish people took great pride in their own success in following the law faithfully. If anyone could boast about his adherence to the law, it was Paul. Since salvation is not accomplished by anything a sinful person can achieve, no person has the right to boast. For this reason, even Paul counted all things, "garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him." The law that requires faith supersedes the prior laws and accomplishes what a law of works could not: salvation in Christ. Keeping the law does not accomplish righteousness; trying to keep the law makes us aware of our shortcomings. Justification only comes by faith. The works that result are evidence of faith; they are integral to a living faith, but they are not saving actions. Since there is only one God, he chose only one way to justify all people: by faith. There is only one way to the Father, no matter one's background: Jesus Christ himself. 
Conclusion
All human brokenness and sorrow can be traced back to sin. It is sad that we are all united in this, but fortunately, the cure is also something we all have in common. Our own efforts cannot heal us. We all need Jesus. He is the one person we can all have in common and in whom we can find unity outside of our sinfulness. He is the only one who can transform our effort from futility in sin and death to Spirit-led works of hope and life.
Prayer
Gracious Lord, thank you for your gift of salvation through faith in Jesus. Thank you that it is a gift offered to everyone. Forgive us when we think we have to earn this gift. In Jesus' name through whom we have our salvation. Amen.
Questions for Discussion
Benediction
Next week's lesson will be on Romans 4:13-25.
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