GOD'S ANSWER FOR SIN

Romans 3:21-5:21
I. Introductory thoughts based on the PREVIOUS LESSON
A. Both the JEWS and the NATIONS (Gentiles) are in SIN, and NEED
SALVATION!
1. The GENTILES had turned away from God, and He had
given them over to a SINFUL LIFE (Romans 1:18-32).
2. The JEW was also without EXCUSE (Romans 2:1-29).
3. There was "none righteous," not one! (Romans 3:9,10)
4. "ALL HAVE SINNED" (Romans 3:23). The SINNER "lacks
the glory of God" through his sin.
B. Under a LAW OF WORKS, no person can be "JUSTIFIED" (made
right, declared not guilty) in the sight of God (Romans 3:20).
Notice this same idea in Galatians 2:16.
1. If people could have been RIGHT WITH GOD BY KEEPING
THE LAW OF MOSES, or any "LAW OF WORKS,"
then Jesus Christ DIED FOR NOTHING! (Galatians 2:21).
WHY DID JESUS DIE ON THE CROSS? Because there
was no otherway for man to be right with God!
2. The Old Testament Law given by Moses HAD A WONDERFUL
PURPOSE! Please see below. However, THAT LAW
COULD NOT MAKE A PERSON RIGHTEOUS! (Galatians 3:21).
C. PLEASE NOTE that the Old Testament Law DID GIVE MAN A
KNOWLEDGE OF SIN (Romans 3:20). See this same teaching
in Romans 7:7.
D. In this lesson, THE STUDENT SHOULD LEARN THE FOLLOWING:
1. The MEANING of "SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH"
2. The DIFFERENCE between the OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS
3. The FULFILLMENT OF THE OLD TESTAMENT LAW
4. SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH INCLUDES
OBEDIENCE

SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH

II. JESUS IS THE ANSWER! (Romans 3:21-31)

A. The NATURE of "JUSTIFICATION" (Process of being declared
RIGHT before God) (Romans 3:21-25a).
1. RIGHTEOUSNESS has been "manifested" "apart from" a
Law of WORKS (Romans 3:21). See also Romans 1:16, 17;
Romans 10:1-3; Philippians 3:9.
2. This PLAN OF GOD TO PROVIDE RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR MAN
WAS "WITNESSED" BY THE OLD TESTAMENT LAW AND
PROPHETS. Notice the LEGAL TERM "WITNESSED" here.
See below.
a. JESUS CHRIST AND HIS GOSPEL are prophesied in
the Old Testament. See Romans 1:2 and also Luke 24:44.
b. Even SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH is seen in
the OLD TESTAMENT. We will see this in the example
of ABRAHAM (Romans 4).
3. The RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD is available FOR EVERYONE,
and there is NO DIFFERENCE OR DISTINCTION
(Romans 3:22). ALL ARE EQUAL BEFORE GOD!
a. But, this RIGHTEOUSNESS is "THROUGH FAITH IN
JESUS CHRIST! It can be received in no other way!
b. This RIGHTEOUSNESS is "for all those who believe."
The literal translation is "those who continue believing."
God provides salvation for everyone who has an ACTIVE,
TRUSTING, CONTINUOUS RELIANCE ON JESUS.
4. We are "JUSTIFIED" by the GRACE OF GOD! (Romans 3:24)
a. The word "justified" means "declared innocent,"
not because we were without sin, for all sin, but because
we are forgiven through Christ.
b. "Freely" means "as a gift" or "without a cause." This same
word is translated "without a cause" in John 15:25.
c. Our "Justification" is on the basis of the GRACE OF GOD,
HIS FAVOR WHICH WE DO NOT DESERVE! See this principle
discussed below.
d. God showed HIS GRACE BY PROVIDING "REDEMPTION"
THROUGH CHRIST. "Redemption" means a release from
captivity, freedom (from sin). Please see I Peter 1:18,19.
e. Jesus is the "PROPITIATION" or "means of forgiveness"
provided by HIS BLOOD (Romans 3:25). See this same word
used for Jesus in I John 2:1, 2. To "propitiate" also means to

bring peace and remove WRATH.

f. In these verses, PLEASE SEE THREE BEAUTIFUL FIGURES
that describe what Jesus has done for us through his death:
(1) COURT ROOM FIGURE --Declared innocent as in a
court of law ("Justified")
(2) SLAVERY FIGURE --Liberated ("Redeemed")
(3) SACRIFICIAL FIGURE -- Propitiatory, mercy seat,
place of forgiveness in the temple or tabernacle
("propitiation"). See Hebrews 9:5.
B. The NATURE of GOD (Romans 3:25b, 26)
1. "GOD IS LOVE!" God is a GOD OF MERCY AND GRACE!
(I John 4:8; Titus 3:5)
2. But He is ALSO A GOD OF JUSTICE! Therefore, SIN MUST
BE PUNISHED! IF GOD EXCUSED THE SINS OF MAN, HE
WOULD NOT BE JUST AND RIGHTEOUS!
3. JESUS SUFFERED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR OUR SIN. HE TOOK
THE PUNISHMENT FOR US! HE WAS "DELIVERED UP"
TO DIE FOR OUR SINS (Romans 4:25).
4. Therefore, IN PERMITTING JESUS TO SUFFER INSTEAD OF
US, THE DEMANDS OF JUSTICE WERE MET. Jesus became
a "sin offering for us" (II Corinthians 5:21).
5. Because of Jesus' self-sacrifice, God could "pass over" the sins
done in earlier times (Romans 3:25).
6. Therefore, God is both (1) "JUST" and RIGHTEOUS, and (2) the
"JUSTIFIER" (the One who makes men right) of those who have
an obedient faith in Jesus (Romans 3:26).
C. The NATURE of the "LAW OF FAITH" (Romans 3:27-31).
1. Under the "LAW OF FAITH," or "PRINCIPLE OF FAITH,"
WE MUST RELY ON JESUS TO DO FOR US WHAT WE
CANNOT DO FOR OURSELVES!
2. SALVATION PROVIDED BY THE DEATH OF JESUS IS A "GIFT"
WHICH WE DO NOT DESERVE
(Romans 6:23). We have NOT
EARNED OUR SALVATION! Salvation is NOT a "SALARY"
THAT GOD "OWES" US. (Please see below on Romans 4:4).
3. PLEASE NOTE: Because God GIVES US THE "GIFT" OF
FORGIVENESS, BECAUSE WE DO NOT "EARN IT,"
THEN WE CANNOT "BOAST" ABOUT IT!
(Romans 3:27). See also Ephesians 2:8-10.

4. Under a "LAW OF WORKS," A PERSON TRIES TO "EARN" HIS

BLESSINGS, HE TRIES TO "DESERVE" WHAT HE
RECEIVES. He tries to "save himself by himself!" However, one
mistake, one sin, one broken law CONDEMNS HIM. See
Galatians 3:10,11. The Christian knows that when he sins and
turns back to the Lord, the BLOOD OF JESUS WILL
CONTINUE TO CLEANSE HIM FROM SIN (I John 1:7-9)
5. Does this principle DESTROY LAW? NO! GOD GIVES LAW! HE
COMMANDS US TO OBEY HIS LAWS! The "principle of faith"
puts LAW IN ITS PROPER PLACE! The Christian will obey
the LAWS THAT GOD GIVES HIM, BUT, WHEN HE SINS,
THE BLOOD OF JESUS IS THE WAY TO FORGIVENESS.
(Romans 3:31).
III. The DIFFERENCE between the LAW OF MOSES and the NEW
TESTAMENT
A. DIFFERENCE WITH RESPECT TO SALVATION.
1. The OLD TESTAMENT LAW OF MOSES was GOOD AND HOLY
(Romans 7:12).
2. But, it COULD NOT SAVE! (Galatians 2:16, etc.). The ANIMAL
SACRIFICES COULD NOT REMOVE SIN!
(Hebrews 10:4).
3. If people COULD HAVE BEEN SAVED through the OLD TESTAMENT
LAW GIVEN THROUGH MOSES, THEN CHRIST DIED
FOR NO PURPOSE (Galatians 2:21; 3:21).
4. Jesus' BLOOD is the BLOOD OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
(Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:11-17).
B. WHAT WAS the OLD TESTAMENT LAW OF MOSES?
1. It was God's "Covenant" (agreement) with ISRAEL

(Exodus 19:1-6)

2. Please note that this "COVENANT" was the "TEN COMMANDMENTS"

(Deuteronomy 4:13, 14; Exodus 34:27, 28)
3. This "COVENANT" was the LAW God gave to Moses at Mount Sinai
(Mount Horeb) (Deuteronomy 5:1-15)
C. TO WHOM was this "COVENANT" (The Law of Moses) GIVEN?
1. A NATION that would be a "PECULIAR" people. ISRAEL!
(Exodus 19:5)
2. A NATION taken from all other people to SERVE A SPECIFIC
PURPOSE (Deuteronomy 7:6,7)
3. This LAW of Moses was for ISRAEL (Psalm 147:19, 20)

4. It was given TO ISRAEL (Malachi 4:4)

5. The GENTILES (Nations outside Israel) did NOT have this law!
(Romans 2:14)
C. WHEN and WHERE was the LAW OF MOSES GIVEN?
1. It was given the THIRD MONTH AFTER ISRAEL LEFT THE
BONDAGE IN THE LAND OF EGYPT (Exodus 19:1)
2. This Law was given by God to Moses on MOUNT SINAI
(Mount Horeb) (Deuteronomy 5:2)
3. Please note that the SABBATH DAY was observed by Israel FOR
THE FIRST TIME SHORTLY BEFORE THEIR ARRIVAL
AT MOUNT SINAI (Exodus 16:13-30). It is seen here that the
Israelites did not know how to observe the Sabbath day!
4. God came down ON MOUNT SINAI AND MADE KNOWN HIS HOLY
SABBATH! (Nehemiah 9:13, 14)
D. HOW LONG was the LAW OF MOSES to CONTINUE?
1. That "COVENANT" was always intended by God to be TEMPORARY
(Jeremiah 31:31-34). Please NOTE that the "NEW COVENANT"
was to be DIFFERENT FROM THE OLD.
2. JESUS CHRIST is the "MEDIATOR" of a "BETTER" COVENANT
BASED ON "BETTER PROMISES" (Hebrews 8:6-13)
3. The "NEW" COVENANT of Jesus replaced the "OLD" when
He DIED ON THE CROSS (Hebrews 9:15-17).
E. WHAT HAPPENED to the "LAW OF MOSES?"
1. Jesus FULFILLED IT (Luke 24:44; Matthew 5:17-19)
2. Please note carefully each verse in Galatians 3:15-29
a. God made an agreement (covenant) with ABRAHAM
(Galatians 3:15, 16). Please see Genesis 12:1-3; 22:15-18.
b. The LAW of MOSES, which came 430 years later, COULD
NOT DESTROY THIS PROMISE TO ABRAHAM
(Galatians 3:17, 18)
c. The LAW OF MOSES was ADDED BECAUSE OF SIN

(Galatians

3:19)
d. This OLD LAW could NOT GIVE LIFE

(Galatians 3:21)

e. The LAW OF MOSES had a WONDERFUL PURPOSE. It

was a "SCHOOLMASTER," OR "TUTOR," OR
"GUARDIAN" TO BRING MEN TO CHRIST (Galatians 3:24).

f. BUT, WHEN FAITH in Christ had come, MEN WERE NO

LONGER UNDER THAT WONDERFUL "SCHOOLMASTER"
(Galatians 3:25)
g. We are SONS OF GOD THROUGH FAITH, FOR WE HAVE
BEEN BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST (Galatians 3:26, 27)
h. Now, there is NO DIFFERENCE between JEW AND GENTILE,
SLAVE AND FREE, etc. (Galatians 3:28, 29)
3. PLEASE SEE PAUL'S TEACHING ABOUT THIS IN ROMANS 7:1-7
a. When a HUSBAND DIES, the WIDOW is free to MARRY
ANOTHER (Romans 7:1-3)
b. Men are now DEAD TO "THE LAW" so that they can
be JOINED IN MARRIAGE TO CHRIST, and bring
forth FRUIT FOR GOD (Romans 7:4)
MEN ARE DEAD TO WHAT LAW? WHAT LAW IS THIS?
c. "THE LAW" aroused SINFUL DESIRES (Romans 7:5)_
BUT, WHAT LAW IS THIS?
d. Men were RELEASED FROM "THE LAW" so that they
might serve in the newness of the Spirit
(Romans 7:6).
See also II Corinthians 3:6-9.
BUT, FROM WHAT LAW WERE MEN RELEASED?
e. "THE LAW" was not SIN, but it did MAKE SIN KNOWN
(Romans 7:7)
BUT, WHAT LAW IS HE DISCUSSING?
f. It was the LAW THAT SAID, "THOU SHALT NOT COVET"
(Romans 7:7).
THUS, MEN ARE NOW "DEAD" OR SEPARATED FROM
THE LAW OF MOSES GIVEN AT MOUNT SINAI, INCLUDING
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS!
IV. ABRAHAM was "SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH" (Romans 4:1-25)
A. Abraham was declared "RIGHT" before God ("Justified") under the "LAW
OF FAITH" (Romans 4:1-8)
1. If Abraham had been declared RIGHTEOUS on the basis of his "works"
which EARNED SALVATION, then this godly man could have
BOASTED (Romans 4:2).

2. But, Abraham's FAITH was "counted" for RIGHTEOUSNESS

(Romans 4:3). Please read Genesis 15:6. His FAITH was the condition
"IN ORDER TO" obtain release from sin! Abraham was a
FAITHFUL, TRUSTING OBEDIENT MAN!
3. Please see the IMPORTANT POINT: In a system of "WORKS,"
BLESSINGS ARE NOT BASED ON "GRACE" (Favor that is not
deserved), but on DEBT! (Romans 4:4).
WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT GOD DOES NOT OWE US ANYTHING
4. Please note again: The Scriptures teach that the one who "worketh"
is the person who tries to EARN HIS SALVATION. IT CANNOT
BE DONE! (Romans 4:5)
5. Paul quoted David (Psalms 32:1, 2) to point out that the man is BLESSED
who is FORGIVEN BY GOD. Then, the Lord does not continue to count
him responsible for his sin (Romans 4:6, 7).
B.
ABRAHAM was declared "RIGHT"
CIRCUMCISION
WAS GIVEN TO HIM (Romans 4:9-12)

BEFORE

the

COVENANT

OF

1. Abraham was declared "RIGHTEOUS" before God made the "COVENANT"

of CIRCUMCISION with him (Romans 4:9, 10)
2. Please note this CHART:
Mount Sinai
Declared Righteous
Circumcision
The Law
________________________________________________________________
__
(Genesis 15:6)

(Genesis 17)

(Exodus 20, etc)

3. PLEASE NOTE: About 14 years before Abraham received the command

to be CIRCUMCISED, HE WAS ALREADY DECLARED RIGHTEOUS
BY GOD (Genesis 15 and 17)
C. Abraham was NOT declared "RIGHTEOUS" ("Justified") by a "LAW OF
WORKS"
(Romans 4:13-17)
1. The wonderful PROMISES to Abraham DID NOT COME THROUGH
THE LAW (Romans 4:13). See Genesis 12:1-3
2. The Law of Moses, WHICH CAME 430 YEARS LATER, did not destroy
the PROMISE MADE TO ABRAHAM! (Galatians 3:17).
3. The LAW brought "WRATH," for when men broke that Law, they
stood CONDEMNED BY IT (Romans 4:15)
4. AN IMPORTANT STATEMENT: The promise of SALVATION is
through "FAITH" so that it may be of "GRACE" (FAVOR that
is not deserved) (Romans 4:16). THIS IS SUCH A NECESSARY
POINT!

D. The KIND of FAITH that ABRAHAM HAD (Romans 4:18-25)

1. He BELIEVED GOD in spite of UNFAVORABLE SITUATIONS
(Romans 4:18, 19). HOW COULD HE AND SARAH, OLD, OLD
PEOPLE, HAVE A CHILD SO THAT ABRAHAM COULD BECOME
THE "FATHER" OF A GREAT NATION?
2. He BELIEVED GOD without DOUBT or WAVERING (Romans 4:20).
3. He BELIEVED GOD in FULL ASSURANCE

(Romans 4:21)

4. The RESULT of THIS KIND OF FAITH -- ABRAHAM WAS DECLARED

RIGHTEOUS! (Romans 4:22).
WAS ABRAHAM AN OBEDIENT MAN? CERTAINLY! MEN MUST
"TRUST AND OBEY!"
5. CONCLUSION: This was written FOR OUR SAKES! FOR ALL OF US
WHO COME TO JESUS IN FAITH, JESUS WHO DIED FOR OUR
SINS, AND WAS RAISED SO THAT WE CAN BE DECLARED
RIGHTEOUS (Romans 4:24, 25).
V. There are WONDERFUL BLESSINGS THROUGH CHRIST

(Romans 5:1-21)

A. Being declared "RIGHT," ("Justified") through FAITH, WE HAVE:

(Romans 5:1-11)
1. PEACE WITH GOD!

(Romans 5:1)

a. "Justified by faith" literally means "out of faith" ("Justified

out of faith")
b. Being RIGHT WITH GOD, and having PEACE WITH GOD has been
made possible "THROUGH JESUS CHRIST!"
c. PEACE COMES because we are "RECONCILED" to God. We have
been brought back to FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD AGAIN. SIN
HAD SEPARATED US FROM HIM. Please see Romans 5:10, 11
which shows that Christians were, at one time, ENEMIES, but
they are now RECONCILED. See Colossians 1:20-22.
2. REJOICING!

(Romans 5:2-4)

a. "PEACE" AND "JOY" ARE "TWIN BLESSINGS." It has

been said that "Peace is joy resting, and Joy is peace dancing."
b. There is JOY because we SHARE IN THE HOPE OF THE
GLORY OF GOD! WHAT A WONDERFUL FUTURE!
(Romans 5:2). GLORY AWAITS US!
c. Through Christ, we have the blessed PRIVILEGE of
APPROACHING GOD AND PARTAKING OF HIS GRACE.

d. Oh, YES, there will be SUFFERING! But, when we SUFFER,

we can become MORE MATURE AND STEADFAST IN THE
FAITH. This PERSEVERANCE will bring about "CHARACTER
FORMATION" in the Christian (Romans 5:3, 4). OUT OF ALL
THIS COMES HOPE!
3. HOPE!

(Romans 5:5-11)

a. Hope will be realized BECAUSE OF GOD'S LOVE!

(Romans 5:5)

b. The "PLEDGE" OF GLORY is the HOLY SPIRIT! See also

II Corinthians 1:21, 22 and Ephesians 1:13, 14. The Holy Spirit is
the "down payment" of our inheritance.
c. God's LOVE IS SEEN IN THAT WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS,
CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY (Romans 5:6-8).
(1) One would hardly die for a JUST MAN.
die for a good, benevolent man.

Perhaps, a few would

(2) But, JESUS DIED FOR THE UNGODLY. Here we see the
GREAT LOVE OF GOD!
d. REMEMBER! WE ARE SAVED BY CHRIST'S BLOOD
(Romans 5:9). Because of this, we are saved from the "WRATH"
of God (See I Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9).
e. But, also by HIS RESURRECTION LIFE (Romans 5:10)
REJOICE! (Romans 5:11)

Therefore,

B. TERRIBLE RESULTS brought by the SIN OF ADAM are OVERCOME in the

GIFT OF CHRIST (Romans 5:12-21)
1. SIN came into the world THROUGH ONE MAN, ADAM, and PHYSICAL
DEATH was the consequence or result (Romans 5:12). See also
I Corinthians 15:21, 22.
2. The expression, "ALL SINNED" does not mean that when Adam sinned,
that we all sinned personally. Sin is an INDIVIDUAL ACT OF
DISOBEDIENCE. Sin is PERSONAL (I John 3:4). Therefore, GUILT
OF SIN IS NOT PASSED FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.
WE DO NOT INHERIT THE GUILT OF SIN. Representatively, because
Adam was the beginning of the HUMAN RACE, all who follow partake
in his act of disobedience, but we do not share the guilt of that act. Please
see Hebrews 7:9, 10 where we see ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A
PERSON "SHARING REPRESENTATIVELY" in the act of an
ancestor.In this context, LEVI is said to have PAID TITHES through
his ancestor, Abraham. LEVI DID NOT DO IT PERSONALLY. IT
WAS HIS ANCESTOR WHO DID IT.
3. Observe the CONTRAST or DIFFERENCE in ADAM AND CHRIST

a. Because of ADAM'S SIN, MANY were caused to SUFFER

(Romans 5:15-19)
b. Because of CHRIST'S SINGLE ACT OF SACRIFICE, MANY
MAY BECOME RIGHTEOUS!
4. When the Law was given, SIN ABOUNDED, for many DISOBEYED THE
LAW. Also, see Galatians 3:19.
But, when SIN ABOUNDED, the GRACE OF GOD ABOUNDED MORE
AND MORE! (Romans 5:20, 21)
MAY GOD BE PRAISED FOR HIS GRACE THROUGH CHRIST!