THE EPISTLES OF PAUL · Day 2 of 21
Justification by Faith
1 · READ THE TEXT
Romans 3:21-31 & 5:1-11
Romans 3:21-31
Open in the reader →21But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Romans 5:1-11
Open in the reader →1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
2 · UNDERSTAND
After three chapters proving that "all have sinned", Paul turns the key with two words: "but now". The righteousness of God has been revealed apart from law, through faith in Jesus Christ, and justification is "freely by his grace". To justify is a courtroom term: to declare righteous. It is not pretending the sin never happened, it is absorbing its cost at the cross. The practical result comes in chapter 5: "since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God". Peace not as a feeling but as a legal state — the war is over. And he adds the most astonishing part: Christ died for us "while we were still sinners".
3 · REFLECT AND ANSWER
Read the text again and answer calmly. Your answers are kept only in this browser.
- 1.What does this text reveal about who God is?
- 2.What does it show about people — and about you?
- 3.What will you do differently today because of it?
4 · LIVE AND PRAY
Practical application
If you live trying to earn acceptance (from God or from someone), say out loud today: "I have already been accepted". Repeat until you believe it.
Lesson prayer
Father, thank you that I do not have to pay what has already been paid. Free me from trying to buy what you gave me freely. Amen.
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