Romans 3:21-31
The Clarity: His Righteousness (vv. 21-26)
Revealed apart from the law
Redeeming from the law
- Jesus’ sacrifice
- Jesus’ satisfaction
- Jesus’ solution
The Conclusion: Humanity’s Remedy (vv. 27-31)
Justification by faith
Resolution of the law
More to Consider
What kind of God (Father) sends His Son to such a horrific death to satisfy His own sense of justice?
First, Jesus voluntarily gave His life (Jn 10:14–18). So, this was the eternally agreed-upon plan by Father, Son, and Spirit.
Second, the triune God—not just the Son—is involved in this world’s suffering. The Father & Spirit were not detached observers but were intimately involved with the Son’s suffering on the cross.
Third, consider God’s holiness and sin’s offensiveness to such a perfect, unsullied, personal Being. Sin elicits His just, wrathful response—the removal of all traces of both sin and sinner.
Fourth, we must grasp God’s limitless love for His human creatures made in His own image. Though He could justly write us off forever, in love God acted to save those who trust in Him. So, while His holiness required the just payment of death for sinners, in love He paid the penalty Himself in the person of His only Son. Ted Cabal et al., The Apologetics Study Bible: Real Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2007), 1685.
During the building of the Golden Gate Bridge over San Francisco Bay, construction fell badly behind schedule because several workers had accidentally fallen from the scaffolding to their deaths. Engineers and administrators could find no solution to the costly delays. Finally, someone suggested a gigantic net be hung under the bridge to catch any who fell. Finally in spite of the enormous cost, the engineers opted for the net. After it was installed, progress was hardly interrupted. A worker or two fell into the net but were saved. Ultimately, all the time lost to fear was regained by replacing fear with faith in the net. As we paid nothing for God's eternal love and nothing for the Son of His love, and nothing for His Spirit and our grace and faith, and nothing for our eternal rest...What an astonishing thought it will be to think of the unmeasurable difference between our deservings and our receivings. O, how free was all this love, and how free is this enjoyed glory...So then let "Deserved" be written on the floor of hell but not on the door of heaven and life. Richard Baxter, The Free Gift.
