Romans 3:21-31 – Justified and righteous before God

Paul had established that everyone, Jew or Gentile, is under the dominion of sin and condemnation. And that the Law which was given to the Jew cannot make man righteous. Paul then went on to show what would put man in right standing with God. He said, it’s the righteousness of God that is received through faith in Jesus Christ. This is something that both the Law and the prophets had attested to. And this righteousness is open to everyone, whether Jews or Gentiles, because all have sinned and fallen short of God’s standard and purpose. This is the best solution. It’s fair because no one is at any disadvantage. Both Jews, who have the Law, and Gentiles who don’t have the Law, can only have access to God’s righteousness by putting faith in Jesus Christ.

Notice that this word righteousness appears four times in these eleven verses. Paul was not describing righteousness as a character of God, he was talking about the state of right standing with God. He tells us that this is God’s gracious gift when we put our faith in Jesus Christ. It comes through the atoning work of Jesus Christ where He sacrificed Himself to redeem us from sin.

Why did God choose to do it this way? Paul tells us that in time past, God did not pour out his entire wrath on man for their sin. That only showed that he was merciful and patient. This had caused His righteousness to be questioned. But now in the death of Jesus Christ, He had demonstrated His wrath against sin, and yet could at the same time love and accept sinful man. In Christ’s death, He could freely forgive sin, yet maintain His moral integrity. God can now forgive sin without being seen to be condoning it. How? By directing the full weight of His wrath that sin deserves on Himself through His Son, so that in forgiving our sin, His holy character will not be compromised.

Our justification and right standing is entirely God’s gracious work. It’s not because man obeyed the Law and received righteousness. No not at all. It is due to the principle of faith in Christ Jesus operating in our life. We cannot boast about salvation because everything required of us to be saved was God’s initiative and work. Everyone, Jews or Gentiles, who is without Christ must begin with faith in Him. All are on equal footing. Does this therefore negate the Law? Paul tell us it does not. Why? It is because the Law functions by revealing the righteous standards of God and make us conscious of sin. When we live by faith we begin to see the positive side of the Law and exploit it to strengthen our faith life. As Christians we uphold the Law but we never depend on keeping it to be reconciled to God.  

Had it not been for Calvary, had it not been for Jesus, you and I would forever be lost. How greatly He loves us! It must surely cause us to respond in gratefulness to Him and His great love.