EXPLORE THE TEXT
Everyone falls short of God’s standard, so everyone needs Jesus.
21 But now, apart from the law,
the righteousness of God has been revealed,
attested by the Law and the Prophets.
22 The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ
to all who believe, since there is no distinction.
23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;
24 they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
25 God presented him as the mercy seat by his blood,
through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness,
because in his restraint God passed over the sins previously committed.
26 God presented him to demonstrate his righteousness
at the present time, so that he would be just
and justify the one who has faith in Jesus.Review:
Truths to set the context:
- all people have a problem called sin;
- our sin problem is only solved through a relationship with Jesus Christ;
- forgiveness is given, not earned.
Ask:
- Why can’t good works lead to salvation? (PSG, p. 31)
Examine:
Justification.
Briefly discuss how Paul used the word and why it is significant.Collaborate:
justification.
the act of God declaring both a person's sin, and their righteousness through faith in Christ.Old Testament. To be legally declared free from guilt. The opposite of condemnation.
Having a right relationship to God standard.New Testament. Mainly advanced by Paul as the starting place of salvation.
Grace and faith given equally to all.
Justification is the life, death and crucifixion of Jesus.
It liberates us from sin and reconciles our relationship with God.
We have adoption, and assurance of our salvation.Summarize:
Share this content related to “redemption” from page 31 of the PSG:
Paul used another key theological word in verse 24:
“redemption.” Redemption referred to the purchase of freedom for slaves, prisoners of war, or condemned criminals.
All this is “by his grace,” a gift offered freely.
But what is free to us was not free to God; it came with a cost.Explain:
Paul used language related to the ark of the covenant to describe Jesus’s death on the cross.
Just as priests would sprinkle blood on the mercy seat on the Day of Atonement,
Jesus shed His blood for us.
As our substitute,
He both satisfied God’s demand for justice and made salvation by grace through faith possible.Write:
Falling short.
Everyone falls short of God’s standard,
so everyone needs to accept the price Jesus paid (redemption)
so they can experience right standing with God (justification).