Posted on 11/21/2014 1:51:03 PM PST by Gamecock
What is it that solves the problem of our sins? A righteousness of (from) God has been manifested apart from the law through faith in Jesus Christ (3:21-22). Luther referred to these verses as the center of the whole Bible. Martin Lloyd Jones called it the most important and crucial passage in the whole of Scripture. Leon Morris said it is possibly the most important single paragraph ever written.
As I mentioned in a prior post here, I have been teaching a weekly Bible study on the book of Romans to women in the Charlotte community. For the last several months, we have been plodding our way through the first three chapters as Paul has laid out his case that all mankindJew and Gentileare sinful and rightly under the judgment of God. Paul finishes this section of his letter with this monumental statement: For by works of the Law no human being will be justified in his sight (Rom 3:20).
You can almost hear the gavel fall with a boom.
Thankfully, Paul does not end his letter here. This morning, in the last installment of the womens study for the Fall term (we will resume in the new year), we will move onto to 3:21 and following. There Paul utters two of the most beautiful words in all of Scripture, But now These two little words provide a great sigh of relief for any sin-wracked soul wondering about his fate.
But now tells us that something has been done to solve the problem of our sins.
What is it that solves the problem of our sins? A righteousness of (from) God has been manifested apart from the law through faith in Jesus Christ (3:21-22). Luther referred to these verses as the center of the whole Bible. Martin Lloyd Jones called it the most important and crucial passage in the whole of Scripture. Leon Morris said it is possibly the most important single paragraph ever written.
This passage is the basis for the great Reformation doctrine of sola fidethe idea that we are saved by faith alone and not by the works of the law.
But, Paul makes a critical clarification here. He makes it clear that the righteous status we so desperately need comes through faith (v.22), but it is not the faith itself that is the grounds of our justification. The grounds of our justificationthe reason God can declare us sinners to be righteousis because of the righteousness of Christ given to us. He can regard us as righteous because a righteous status has been granted to us.
Thus, faith is merely the instrument or the means by which that righteous status is attained.
This is a critical reminder for Christians today. Whenever our world discusses religion, they will praise the merits of faith and laud people who possess it (think Oprah Winfrey). But, notice the world never praises the merits of the object of that faith. It doesnt matter what you believe in (after all, all religions are the same), what matters is that you are sincerely committed.
For our world, then, faith is its own object.
Contrast that to what Paul is saying in Rom 3:21-22. Paul is saying that you are not saved because of faith (as if it were meritorious in itself) but you are saved through and by faith in Christ. The object of the faith is what is definitive.
So, the Reformed doctrine of sola fide does not mean what the world might think it means. For the world, it simply means that all you need is faith. For the Reformers, it meant faith is the sole instrument by which you acquire a righteous status in Christ (and thus not by works).
For those who doubt their faith and find their faith to be weak, this is a great encouragement. Our hope is not in how strong our faith is, but in how strong and righteous our Savior is.
I have already proven that you have no understanding. The proof is that you can't give a detailed response to anything I say. Instead, you have done nothing but thump your chest and prove that you are hellbound.
So where do you go to offer the appropriate sacrifices for the sins you commit?
Why do you mock the religion forum with absurd questions?
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Most of what you post is nonsense.
To respond is folly.
Matthew 7:23 describes your condition.
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You’re telling us we have to obey the Law.
How do you decide which parts to pick and choose to obey?
Thanks, even I am familiar with John 1:1 and I applaud your point.
>>Thats one of the common defenses of the dont move a muscle to believe crowd.<<
That is your underlying presumption as I never took the point that faith is comatose. Faith is an action.
**That is your underlying presumption as I never took the point that faith is comatose. Faith is an action.**
True. Then obedience to Acts 2:38 is faith. Just as Abraham leaving Haran to come to the promised land was faith.
Believers have no need for theology, nor interpretation.
Believers read and hear the word of God, and thereby find faith, through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Theologians believe in their beliefs and interpretations, and have no need for the Holy Spirit.
This is very well said. It's where I've finally gotten to while trying to understand Christian Faith and the "denominationally damaged" christians amongst us and throughout history.
You can't always tell by looking, but often can by listening. And not just with others, but also with ourselves and our own internal dialog.
Yes there is a hymn addressing the above.
You will not find the words in the Bible, but both Trinity and the imputation of Christ's righteousness are thematic facts found in the Word.
Is that so? I'm a theologian, and almost every theologian I know walks in the light with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
You have made it clear that you “believe” that you walk “in the light.”
I have also pointed out the ways that you are not in the light, so are we going back to this endless confrontation?
I thought that we had agreed to disagree.
I have yet to know a theologian that accepts the plain words of scripture. If they did, they would have no need for “theology.”
Theology is the philosophy that there is a need for an “enlightened” man to interpret the word for the lowly and limited sheep.
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Wrong! Theology is not a philosophy, and so you obviously don't have a clue what you are discussing.
I have the clues, you have angry retorts, as usual.
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