January 8, 2014
TAKE THE FREEBIE!
Romans 3:21-31
Suzanne Silva
Central Truth
Bad news: We are all sinners and cannot please God on our own.
Good News: We can be declared innocent of our sin when we choose to accept the free gift of grace and put our faith in Jesus, who died sacrificially for us taking our punishment for our sins.
Key Verse | Romans 3:23–24
[F]or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:23-24)
Romans 3:21-31
The Righteousness of God Through Faith
21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
Dive Deeper | Romans 3:21-31
Who likes bingo? Who likes a free space in the middle? I have rightly been accused of being too competitive at times. And you? Do you like to win? I think we all do.
Last year, we played Bible bingo at our kids' Christmas party. Each square was a picture of Jesus' amazing birth story. But the center square was a cross, the "free space," that everyone got to choose to take/cover. The beauty of this bingo game was that every child who personally chose to take the cross as a free space was the ultimate winner!
We win when we choose to leave the old covenant of obeying God's rules to be in right standing before Him and believe Romans 3:22 that righteousness comes through faith in Jesus. Even though we all are stuck in our sin and fall short of ever being able to please God enough, we can be forgiven and receive His grace. We can walk being justified freely by Jesus' sacrifice of His life that gave the ultimate payment for our sins. Justified means declared righteous as we are redeemed by Christ.
Now, are we walking in the freedom Jesus has given us in His gift of grace?
Too often, I slip back to the Old Testament because I am caught in my control and busyness for the Lord, as if I could please Him any more than what the cross did for me. My sin is ultimately pride that I need to let go of because I cannot be declared righteous by my works. I want to leave my bondage of pride and live in the freedom and newness God, my Righteous Judge, has gifted in His New Testament covenant. Nothing I can boast in. Freebie.
My faith in Jesus alone allows me to be called a child of God (Romans 8:17), His new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), and His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10).
Will you play bingo with me and choose to take the free space of the cross, the most glorious part of Jesus' love story to us?
Discussion Questions
1. Honestly, do you believe you are a sinner, and do you believe you can be good enough to win God's favor?
2. Are you walking in the freedom God offers by His grace, or are you still seeking to control and be busy for God? What specific areas do you need to confess and to whom can you be held accountable to keep taking ground in these areas?
3. What are the characteristics you see in God in this passage? Praise Him for them today!
4. What promises are you claiming in this passage, and what truths can you depend on because of your faith in Jesus? What lies are you believing about yourself that have been nullified by Christ in you? John 8:44 reminds us who the father of lies is. Are you listening to Satan or the Lord?