Romans Lesson II

The Proof of Universal Guilt

The Universal Provision of Righteousness

     Manifested to sinners

     Attainable for sinners

     Effective in sinners

There is none righteous

Romans 3:10-20 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

¹⁰ as it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one; ¹¹ there is no one who understands, there is no one who seeks God. ¹² All have turned away, together they have become useless; there is no one who does good, there is not even one. ¹³ Their throat is an open grave; they deceive with their tongues. Vipers' venom is under their lips.¹⁴ Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.¹⁵ Their feet are swift to shed blood; ¹⁶ ruin and wretchedness are in their paths, ¹⁷ and the path of peace they have not known.¹⁸ There is no fear of God before their eyes. ¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the law says speaks to those who are subject to the law, so that every mouth may be shut and the whole world may become subject to God's judgment. ²⁰ For no flesh will be justified in His sight by the works of the law, for through the law [comes] the knowledge of sin.

Paul quotes scripture to prove universal guilt. Scripture, not Paul, is the judge. (See Psalm 5:9; 10:7; 14:1-3; 140:3; Isaiah 59:7-8)
“By the Law” (vs 20): The purpose of the law was to bring conviction and prove guilt, not for justification. The law never justified anyone; its purpose was to reveal sin.
If a person says he is good, than he lies. He/she, may not be aware that they are not good. God’s law (see the Ten Commandments) shows us what to do, and what not to do.  But keeping of the commandments is still not good enough. If we have broken one, we have broken all.  The breaking of one commandment causes us to sin, and sin, unless paid for, leads to death (hell).

Have you ever told a lie? Then you are a liar.

Have you ever wanted something that belonged to your friend? Then you are a coveter.

Have you ever used a cuss word, or hated someone? Then you have taken the Lord's name in vain and are guilty of murder. Yes, Jesus said if you hate someone you have committed murder.

Things are not looking good for you my friend. You are obviously guilty as charged. On the day of judgment, when you stand before God’s throne of judgment, what do you think He will say? God, because He is good, and just, and must punish wickedness, has to demand the debt of sin be paid. But you cannot pay the sin debt; what do you do?

God's Righteousness through Faith

Romans 3:21-26 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

 ²¹ But now, apart from the law, God's righteousness has been revealed —attested by the Law and the Prophets ²² —that is, God's righteousness 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 a propitiation through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His restraint God passed over the sins previously committed.²⁶ He presented Him to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be righteous and declare righteous the one who has faith in Jesus.

Vs 21. The Righteousness: The emphasis here is on the gift of personal relationship to God imparted to those who trust Christ. But now: Paul’s emphasis shifts to the new age or dispensation (see definition). He is not contrasting Jew and Gentile but the time when the law held sway and the present time when grace prevails.  

Dispensation

1 a : a general state or ordering of things; specifically : a system of revealed commands and promises regulating human affairs b : a particular arrangement or provision especially of providence or nature
2 a : an exemption from a law or from an impediment, vow, or oath b : a formal authorization
3 a : the act of dispensing b : something dispensed or distributed

Vs 22. Faith of [or “in”] Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ is the only valid object in which man must place his faith.

Vs 23. For “all” have sinned: The human need and the divine provision are alike applied universally. Come short of the glory of God: Man can exceed his own standards but never, left to himself, can he attain to God’s standard of righteousness.   

Vs 24. Being justified: indicates being declared righteous. It signifies the believer’s judicial standing before God.  Freely: There is no just cause in man to warrant justification. By His grace: Unmerited favor is bestowed through the redemption. Christ’s death is the ransom The sinner is released on the basis of the ransom ‘s having been paid.

Vs 25-26. Through Faith: Christ’s death satisfies the Father’s righteous demands. Its benefits are appropriated only through faith in His finished work. In His blood: The emphasis is not on the blood as it coursed through Christ’s veins, but as it was shed for our sins. This is how the propitiation was accomplished. Just and the Justifier: God can remain just (true to His nature) and still declare sinners to be righteous only because Christ has paid for sin and satisfied His holy law. The sinner is not rendered guiltless but pardoned. Christ has taken the sin on Himself and has imputed His righteousness to the sinner.

Propitiation means sacrifice of atonement. Jesus paid our sin debt on the cross. God poured out His fierce wrath and judgment on His perfect and Holy Son. Only Jesus could pay our debt because He alone is perfect. God’s judgment requires a perfect sacrifice.

Go back to the question asked earlier; You cannot pay the sin debt; what do you do? 

You must believe on the Lord Jesus, and make Him the lord of your life. He paid the debt for your sins, let Him come into your life and rescue you.