Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

(Rom 3:24)“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”  Your sin condemns you before God, but the action of faith can move you through grace (favor God will bestow even though you do not deserve it) to be saved. Will you turn your back upon your sinful life and be saved? 

 (Rom 3:23) “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Add to this, (12) “…there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”  You are I look at the outward and judge the actions of others by ourselves. Wrong standard: you, me, others, are judge by the standard of perfection – the Person of Jesus Christ. Yes, we fall “way” short of the glory of God. The standard is perfection from birth to death, not here and there, off and on. God’s holiness demanded perfection to enter His presence. We could never achieve that – so Jesus lived perfectly and died in our place. At the salvation experience God places the holiness of Jesus upon us so that we can enter His presence.

(Rom 3:22) “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:”   Faith: not  the acknowledging in the mind as true, but acting, responding to that truth. In this case, the act is the response of heart that says, “I’m sorry for what my sin cost the Lord Jesus your Son. Please forgive me and save my soul.” You see, the truth needs to affect the heart: (Rom 10:10) “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness;”  The heart will say, “I want Jesus more than the sin.”

(Rom 3:22) “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:”   Faith. How is it that some can speak of having faith but lack the heart of genuine salvation: the change of heart that comes through the new birth. Reason: a misunderstanding of the word, “faith”. They see faith as believing the words spoken. No. Bible faith is not only believing but acting upon that which is believed.  More on this subject tomorrow.

(Rom 3:21)  “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;”  Not only does the law testify against our conscience, but the prophets do the opposite, they testify of a coming “redeemer” and of a new covenant. The Lord never, ever speaks of a negative without giving us hope – a positive. The Lord does not desire our harm, but our good – if we will just come to Him His way.

(Rom 3:21)  “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;”  The true focus of this chapter is, “How can a person be saved?” By the law? No. All have sinned and the law is the witness. This verse is the beginning statement of how to be saved. The “righteousness of God now manifested” is Jesus Christ. More on this subject – tomorrow. 

(Rom 3:20) “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”  “Justified”: have not sinned. We have each broken the law, so it has condemned us. This is why we each need a Savior. By the way, once saved, this principle remains true: “Our salvation was by Jesus alone. We cannot aid in keeping it for we still break this law condemning us. It is “all” the merit of Jesus’ sacrifice that saves! 

 (Rom 3:19) “ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”  The purpose of the law is to reveal to our hearts – we have sinned. We are guilty. Conclusion: I deserve punishment. What do I do now? I look to Jesus Who bore my punishment on Calvary’s cross. I, in regret and thankfulness ask God’s forgiveness. He then gives freely the gift of everlasting life.  

(Rom 3:18) “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”  Believers seem to have abandoned the thought of fearing God. “He loves me.”  Saved and now adopted, God has become my Father. As a father, He does without fail correct His Own (Heb 12:6-8). Fact – fear motivates obedience. Why are so many unfaithful even in the smallest matter? They do not fear Him and….if truth be known, are not really thankful for salvation. 

(Rom 3:18) “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”  The flesh of sinful man blinds him to eternity. It lives only to fulfill its desires today. Thus, he fears not God, giving eternity no thought for the pleasures of today. The lost need two things: 1) a person to speak directly to them of sin, righteousness, and judgment accompanied by 2) the Holy Spirit’s opening of their understanding, testifying that these things are true.