The book of Romans is a beautifully laid out apologetical letter written by Paul the apostle explaining and defending the gospel of Jesus Christ. He answers the critics by presenting an airtight case for God’s Perfect Justice, Righteousness, and Grace. Indeed, he presents clearly 6 demonstrations of the Perfect Righteousness of God Revealed. Why? As He says near the beginning.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, “The righteous by faith will live.” (Romans 1:16-17 NET)
There are various branches of study, or in other words approaches, to bible study. Each with a different focus. Theology focuses on the study of God, His divine nature, and the doctrines associated with Him. The emphasis is on learning more of who God is throughout scripture. Exegesis is the approach of critical analysis of a text of scripture, considering its cohesiveness will other scriptures and its context. Apologetics is defending the scripture against all the critics. Two of the greatest apologetic preachers were Paul and Stephen. Stephen was stoned, most likely by Paul’s decree, after delivering an amazing sermon defending the authenticity of Christ Jesus as God’s son from scripture.
Soon thereafter, Paul met Christ as Paul was heading out to persecute the Christians. He had a depth of knowledge of the old Testament, unmatched by few. Then he went away for a time and was taught by Jesus through the Holy Spirit, as he prepared for the ministry that would be his to the gentile nations.
He cannot be perfectly righteous were He not also just in every decision.
Romans 3:21-26 (NET)
But now apart from the law the righteousness of God (although it is attested by the law and the prophets) has been disclosed— namely, the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christa for all who believe. For there is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God publicly displayed Him at His death as the mercy seat accessible through faith. This was to demonstrate his righteousness, because God in His forbearance had passed over the sins previously committed. This was also to demonstrate His righteousness in the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who lives because of Jesus’ faithfulness.
A (or faith in Christ as in other translations) why would you think one or the other?
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The Righteousness of God Revealed in Nature
God fully revealed His Glory in His creation so that each person might have the chance to see Him on display and desire to know Him. By thus doing He revealed His justice as well. He takes upon Himself the responsibility of revealing Himself to every human being. Exactly how He does that should not be a point of argument because He has not revealed that to us. Except that He did say,
what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So, people are without excuse. (Romans 1:19-20 NET)
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the sky displays his handiwork.
Day after day it speaks out;
night after night it reveals his greatness.
There is no actual speech or word,
nor is its voice literally heard.
Yet its voice echoes] throughout the earth;
its words carry to the distant horizon. (Psalm 19:1-4 NET)
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The Righteousness of God revealed in Condemnation
Can the perfect righteousness of God exist if He did not condemn sin?
God knows the true picture of sin’s consequences are death, eternal separation from God who is the only source of true Righteousness. He also knows that sin results in failure to treat people created by God, in His image, the right way. “Conversely people (in their unrighteousness toward others) continue to suppress the truth concerning both God and man.”[1]
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness Romans 1:18
In order to express His nature (holiness, truth, and justice), God must punish sin. Since sin personally offends God, no one should be surprised that sin makes God angry. To deny His anger is to reject the necessity of Christ’s reconciling work on the cross. God’s wrath is both revealed in nature and in the Scriptures[2]
What is the difference between God’s wrath and ours?
Paul, in Romans, goes into detail regarding all that God condemns.
- Suppression of Truth (Romans 1:18)
- Ignoring God’s Revelations (1:19-20)
- For perverting God’s Glory (1:21-23)
- Hypocrisy (Chapter 2)
- Unfaithfulness (2:17-3:8)
- Trust in Rituals, Works rather than Grace (2:25-29)
Sin is missing the mark—that means that on our own, we are all sinners deserving of God’s wrath.
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The Righteousness of God revealed in Justification
But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all [f]and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified [g]freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a [h]propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is [i]justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. 29 Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, 30 since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. (Romans 3:21-30 NKJV).
There is no variability with God-sin is sin whoever you are.
Furthermore, there is no partiality with God.
The gift of salvation is offered to all, regardless of educational levels, color, nationality, or gender.
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. But in every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him (Acts 10:34-35.)
(Quite a contrast to the ideas of evolution with the “survival of the fittest”, abortion activists, and the ideas of euthanasia purported by the left who try to say God is unjust).
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The Righteousness of God Revealed in Sanctification (chapters 6-8)
God fully recognizes our frailty and inability to live this Christian life. Therefore, He has given us the Holy Spirit to indwell us and to guide us every step of the way. At the point of salvation we are given a “new life” which is the beginning of God’s Sanctifying work.
He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For He knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. (Psalm 103:10-14)
“Sanctification begins with regeneration, the implanting of spiritual life in a believer. From that starting point sanctification is God’s progressively separating a believer from sin to Himself and transforming his total life experience toward holiness and purity. The process of sanctification for a believer never ends while he is on earth in his mortal body. It is consummated in glorification when that believer through death and resurrection or through eh Rapture stands int eh presence of God “conformed to the likeness of His Son” (Romans 8:29).[3]
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The Righteousness of God Revealed in Sovereign Choice (Romans 9-11)
Essentially this is that God as the creator of the Universe is Sovereign and He is Righteous in all that He does. This we will discuss in much more detail as we go through the book of Romans
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God’s Righteousness Revealed in Transformed Living
The sheer fact that God can and does transform lives reveal the truth of God’s righteousness. We are given the opportunity to display the gospel message through our lives. How?
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2019
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New English Translation (NET) NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
[1] Witmer, John A, Romans, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty-New Testament, eds. John F. Woovard and Roy B. Zuck. Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2004. 442
[2] Falwell, Jerry, ed. The Liberty Annotated Study Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson 1730
[3] Witmer, John A, Romans, 462