Hi and welcome back. Before we get back to our study of Romans I’d like to talk a little bit about serving others and some of the disappointments that go along with it.
As a result of being involved with Celebrate Recovery I began to reach out to those individuals that were dealing with addiction. Drugs and alcohol have ruined so many lives. I wish I could say that CR has been the answer for everyone who wants to overcome their habit. But, that’s not the case.
Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered program.
Which means that when individuals come to the program they have to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
We don’t ask for that commitment right away. But by the 5th meeting they need to be ready to give their lives and their hearts to Christ.
Quite a few individuals drop out before they make that commitment.
Some have trust issues and are not ready to surrender everything. They want recovery on their terms and not God’s.Then there are those who are still in denial and are not ready to openly confess their faults to God and someone they trust. Some continually beat themselves up and can’t forgive themselves for what they’ve done.Still others are leading a double life. They come to the meetings and go through the steps and they say all the right things. Yet, once they’re out the door, they’re back to doing the things that are detrimental to their recovery.
Having said all that, I still believe in my heart that Celebrate Recovery can and does make a difference in so many lives.
We are God’s hands and feet. All we can do is sow the seed and pray that it lands on fertile soil. Yes, there have been many disappointments and they all affect me personally. I want nothing but the best for these men.
So as we reach out to the lost there will be disappointments, but just know in your heart that you may not reach everyone but if just one can come to know the Lord and break the chains that had them in bondage it is time well spent.
Thanks for listening, now let’s get back to our study of Romans. We left off with Romans 3:26. Let’s look at Romans 3:25 and 26 again.
Romans 3:25-26 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.
Jesus was the propitiation or sacrifice of atonement for our sins.
God cannot compromise his principles. He is Holy and merciful but he also detests sin. Our God is unchanging and will not go against the laws and principles that he laid down for us. God will never violate his own nature. He is unwavering, steadfast, and sure. We are justified by our faith in Jesus.
So let’s pick up where we left off with verse 27.
Romans 3:27 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.
What is this boasting?
It is the pride that comes with religious rule following. That sense of moral superiority as the Congregation competes to find favor with God.
Are we much better today? We may boast of our tithing, or how our church is feeding the homeless. Maybe our feeling of superiority is exhibited in the size of our congregation. Bigger isn’t always better.
To boast in works is folly. It is only through faith in Jesus Christ that we may boast.
Psalms 34:2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.
Pride truly does come before a fall as we read in,
2 Samuel 22:28 You save a humble people, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down.
Now let’s take a look at verse 28,
Romans 3:28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
This verse is a summation of what we read in verses 21 through 27. It is only by faith that we are saved. Our Salvation is not totally dependent on good deeds, religious rituals, or other such motivations.
Romans 3:29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,
Paul makes it clear that Jews and Gentiles alike belong to God.
Jesus didn’t die on the cross for just one group, race, or religion. Jesus Christ died on that cross for all mankind. For all sinners. His love for us knew no bounds.
Romans 3:30 since God is one. He will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.
Paul is stating that there is only one God, and that one God will justify us by our faith in Jesus Christ. Whether we are circumcised or uncircumcised we are all God’s people. In other words our God makes no distinction as to race, gender, social status, or any other bias. All are justified by faith, period.
Romans 3:31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
Paul is letting the Jews know that their law, the law that God gave them is still necessary.
The law doesn’t just get kicked to the curb to make room for faith. As we’ve said before, the law is God’s instrument to bring us to repentance that we may be made aware of our sinful nature. The law has its place.
When Jesus was teaching his disciples He emphasized the importance of the law. Let’s take a look at,
Matthew 5:17-19 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
The Old Testament continually pointed to the coming of the Messiah through the Prophets.
18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
Jesus came to Earth with the mission of accomplishing everything in the law. Nothing in the law will be removed or left out.The law is in place and in effect until the end times.
19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus is telling us that we need to obey the law and teach it to others.
This brings us to the end of chapter 3. So what can we take away from this chapter? In God’s sight we are all the same. Whether Jew or gentile, black or white we all fall short of God’s glory. We are all sinners.
We are justified by faith and not by our good works or trying to keep the law. It is only through faith in Jesus Christ that we can be declared righteous in God’s eyes.
Thank you for listening today. As always it is my prayer for you that you may have opportunities to share this good news with those that need to hear it.