Your standing before God is not based on what you do, it’s not based on what you’ve done. But it’s based on what God has done for you: making you righteous through faith in Jesus the Christ. - Pastor Samuel Hagos

Romans 3:20-26 ESV

For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 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. 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.

The Human Condition vs God's Righteousness

We need to bury the phrase “It’s not rocket science.” There is something in this world that is more impossible for humans to overcome than the intricacies of rocket science. That something is the utter sinful brokenness of our human condition.

The scripture covered today deals with the tension between the sinfulness of humanity and the righteousness of God.

God is a judge who judges justly. He is the standard of righteousness.

In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve dwelt in perfect relationship with God. But then they did the one thing that God told them not to do. Sin ruined the perfect relationship humans had with God. And then sin permeated through all of creation.

The question of how one can be righteous before God is a question that has plagued the human mind since the beginning of time.

What can a sinner do to be in right relation and stand boldly before a righteous God? What can you do to make God happy with you?

From Romans 1:17 through 3:20, Paul makes it clear that under a righteous God, all of humanity is judged as guilty.

The Inadequacy of the Law

Paul says that by the works of the law, no person could ever come to know God. The law is completely incapable of making anyone righteous before God.

Paul's argument is simple but profound…

The law was given by God in Exodus 20. In Genesis, there were people who God declared righteous or blameless before the law was ever given.

• God counted Abel as righteous after bringing an acceptable sacrifice. Because he gave his sacrifice in faith.

• Noah took God at his word and by faith, he built the ark.

• God took Enoch up to heaven because by faith he walked with God.

• God told Abraham and Sarah they would bear children as numerous as the stars in the sky. But they were old and Sarah was barren. Even though he stumbled, he had the faith to take God at his word. And God counted Abraham as righteous because of his faith.

• Job isn’t in Genesis, but God counted him as righteous and blameless before the law too. He had prestige, power, and possessions, then all of a sudden he lost everything he had. Despite what he faced, he concluded "The Lord gives, and the Lord taketh away, but blessed be the name of the Lord".

Obedience to the law was never meant to produce your righteousness. The works of the law were never intended to produce your salvation.

But there is hope.

In Verse 21, Paul changes the trajectory of history with the words “But now”.

But now God made his righteousness known to us apart from the law through faith in Christ. The righteousness of God made known to us in Jesus is not in contrast to the Old Testament, but it is in continuity to it.

He makes us righteous, not because we've been good, but because HE is good.

Righteousness is not about perfection. It's about the posture and obedience of your heart toward God and faith in Jesus.

We are all conditioned to believe that our worth and our value come from what we do. We apply that to our relationship with God. But God's view of you is not based on what you do. When you place your faith in him, he's satisfied with you.

The righteousness of God is fully revealed in Jesus. If you ever want to know who God is like, all you have to do is look to Jesus. If you have any questions about the character of God, look at the life and ministry of Jesus.

Throughout the Bible, Jesus shows us what the Father is like:

• In Luke 7, a woman with an alabaster vial comes, and Jesus does not throw her away or condemn her. He receives her worship. Jesus shows that God does not run away from sinners. He embraces them.

• When Jesus is on the road to Jericho and heard blind Bartimaeus calling him, Jesus was not too busy to pause and open Bartimaeus's eyes. Jesus shows that when you need God the most, you are not a nuisance. He is waiting for you to call on his name.

• At the wedding in Cana, Jesus turns water into wine in jars used for ceremonial purification. He was showing that you no longer need the old system of purification because we now have someone to purify our hearts.

God justifies us by faith in his Son. Because trying to earn your right standing before God is an exhausting endeavor. The good news is that God knows you deeper than anyone else knows you and loves you more than any person ever could. God's grace frees us from the burden of earning righteousness.

His righteousness is a free gift to us. But it cost God his Son.

The Gift of Salvation

Paul uses three images to describe salvation: justification, redemption, and propitiation.

Justification

The evidence is clear. You are guilty. God looks at you in your guilt and declares you acquitted of the crimes against you.

You didn’t do anything to earn it. God justifies you as a gift you receive. We exchange our sin for God’s forgiveness.

“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1. When you place your faith in Jesus, God is satisfied with you.

Redemption

God forgives you at no cost to you. That’s because he’s overflowing with kindness, grace, and generosity.

Justification occurs through redemption. Redemption is deliverance and freedom from something for something.

He bought us back from the bondage of sin by the blood of Jesus. God thought we were worth saving so he took his own resources to save us. We are no longer sin’s possession.

Propitiation

God is satisfied with the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf. The author of Hebrews describes Jesus as the once and for all sacrifice.

Before Jesus, the Israelites would have to offer a lamb as a sacrifice every year to pay the price for their sins.

The good news is that the sacrifice of Jesus appeases God’s requirement for justice and in turn, he gives us his righteousness.

God’s Character

We think of God’s character as similar to a mansion. With different attributes isolated in each room working independently from each other. A better way to look at God is to look at him like a one-room house. What you see is what you get.

God's righteousness is tethered to his graciousness. God's holiness is tied to his kindness. God's mercy is tethered to his justice.

Verse 26 tells us that in his divine forbearance, he passed over former sins. This isn't to say that he lightened his standards. This shows that his righteousness is tethered to his kindness. He is patient with humanity so they may come to repentance.

You're never too late to place your faith in God.

Reflection Questions

• How does recognizing that your standing before God is based on faith in Jesus rather than your own deeds change your perspective on daily living and spiritual practices?

• In what ways can you see God's justice and mercy intertwined in your life, and how does this influence your relationship with Him?

• What practical steps can you take to align your heart's posture toward God, focusing on obedience and faith rather than perfection? How can this sermon guide you in making those changes?