NO FREE LUNCH!

Romans 3:21-31

We’ve all heard: “There’s "NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH!"

Therefore, when we hear someone state the Biblical principle that . . .

God's righteousness is received by faith in Jesus Christ alone,

NOT by works of law —Without any kind of works involved,

Many respond “that’s too easy!”   It sounds like “easy-believism!” You have to do something!

I want to correct several serious misconceptions! . . .

    THIS IS NOT A FREE LUNCH!

        IT'S NOT FREE!  It cost the life of God's only Son!

        IT'S NOT NEW!  

Many people think that in O.T., salvation was by law, while in N.T. it’s by grace

That’s not what Scripture teaches!

                 They’ve been told that’s dispensationalism—that’s NOT what we believe!

            Salvation is by faith alone!      Always has been! Always will be!

        IT'S NOT EASY!  No one likes to admit we’re hopelessly lost!

            –that we can’t save ourselves!

            –that we’ll never do enough good to satisfy God!

Paul’s point in Rom. 3-4 demonstrates that . . .

God provides salvation through faith in Christ alone—It’s always been that way!

People believe we can earn salvation by satisfying enough of God's demands that He’ll accept us

Popular idea: God uses a balance scale. He’ll put good we’ve done on one side--bad on the other. If good outweighs bad, you win!

Two problems with this view:

    1) No one does right in God's sight (3:9-12).

From God’s perspective, ALL good things we do look like filthy rags.

“No one does good–not even one!”

    2) God's judgment isn't based on a scale of balances.

God has absolute standard.

Anyone failing to reach that standard is guilty!–No one does!

Anyone who breaks His law is guilty.

Can’t tell policeman who arrests you for stealing: “But officer, I never killed anybody!”

                     If you’re guilty of speeding, you’re a law breaker.

                         Judge isn’t concerned about laws you don’t break!

We’re all law-breakers. We’re all guilty!

Before anyone will ever receive God's gift of eternal life,

    WE MUST REALIZE HOW BAD OFF WE ARE!

        To appreciate good news, we must know how bad the bad news is!

    Romans 1-3 demonstrates OUR NEED FOR THE GOSPEL:

        We’re all guilty before God!       We can’t save ourselves!

After explaining our sinful nature (1:18-3:20), Paul reveals solution:

Since we’re all sinners and can't save ourselves, God made a way for those who trust Christ, rather than ourselves, to have eternal life

THE PROVISION OF THE GOSPEL: SALVATION BY FAITH 3:21-8:39

PRINCIPLE DECLARED 3:21-31

Center and heart of the entire letter (and to presentation of the Gospel)!–indeed, to entire Bible!

    Leon Morris: “Possibly the most important single paragraph ever written!”

        Therefore, it’s important we understand it! No truth more important!

    Most theologically profound–yet conceptually simple–in all of Scripture.

        Yet our post-modern world doesn’t get it!

Since no one could be justified by law, God has revealed the only adequate basis for obtaining salvation: faith in Jesus Christ–without works of law

This is a gift God gives us FREE.

He makes judicial pronouncement: He DECLARES us righteous.

Applies Christ’s righteousness to our account; in place of our sinfulness

    How can God do that?     Next few verses explain:

Introductory summary of the principle: 3:21-22

God's righteousness is received by faith in Jesus Christ

        —NOT by works of law

        ROMANS 3:21-23—important transition

It’s THE BRIDGE that unites presentation of our necessity of the gospel (1:18-3:20) with God's provision for our salvation (3:21-8:39).

If we fail to grasp these 3 verses, we’ll never understand gospel

Built on 3:19-20.

        3:21 contains the biggest contrast in all of Scripture:

    “BUT NOW, [in spite of what WE are] a righteousness from God apart from law has been revealed!”

        God’s perspective on OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS

            --It’s NOT enough --We’re all guilty

Man had small white terrier he kept spotless by frequent washing, brushing, and powdering. One night a storm dropped a fresh blanket of snow on the countryside. The next morning the world glistened under the splendor of the morning sun. As he stood gazing out his window, he saw a drab-looking dog walk across the snow. He wondered whose it was -- then realized it was his terrier! It was as clean as always, but against dazzling background, it appeared dirty.

Our nature revealed when measured by standard of God’s holiness. We make a favorable impression when we’re compared with others, but none of us can stand against God’s glorious character.

Yehiel Dinur–survivor of holocaust, called to testify at trial of Adolf Eichmann, one of architects of the holocaust. As he stepped into courtroom and saw Eichmann, he broke down in sobs. Was he overcome by hatred? By fear? By memories? "No," in an interview he explained, "I was afraid about myself. I am--exactly like he is.” Interviewer almost couldn't ask next question. He stared at the man, then turned to the camera and said, "That poses a question. Was Eichmann a monster, a mad man, or even more terrifying: Was he normal?"

That’s what Paul is trying to tell us about our righteousness: It won’t cut it!

GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS    –a different kind of righteousness.

It’s not based on works of law;

It’s based on faith in Jesus

It doesn’t depend on works but on faith, method by which all receive salvation.

        Since we’ve all sinned, no one deserves to be saved.

God offers salvation as a gift to all who trust in Christ 3:22-24

Since no one measures up to God's mark

It’s like 2 men trying to escape erupting volcano. As fiery molten rock gushed out of crater, they fled in only direction open to them. All went well until they came to a stream of hot lava about 30 ft across. Only hope was to get over that barrier. One was old; other was young and healthy. With running start each tried to leap to safety. First went only a few feet before falling into the bubbling mass. The younger, with greater strength and skill, catapulted much farther. He came closer to making it, but still missed the mark. It didn’t matter that he out-distanced his companion. He, too, perished.

We may come closer to God’s standard than anyone around us.

        But we still miss the mark.      We all fall short of God’s standard!

The price was totally paid by Christ’s death 3:24-25a

The holiness of righteous God has been offended. A penalty must be paid!

In OT God accepted covering of sin with blood of animals offered as a sacrifice.

He accepted that blood because of payment Christ would make on the cross.

    Christ paid all that we owed! –a gift to us, but HE paid full price.

McGee: "A saved sinner has as much right to be in heaven as Christ Himself, because He possesses all the merit and righteousness of Christ".

That’s how God was able to be just, and justifier of sinful people 3:25b-26

    God’s nature requires that He be consistent with Himself.

He won’t break His own laws or violate His own nature.

        His righteousness requires that penalty for our sin be paid.

A just God couldn’t just “forget about” our sin.

                 He couldn’t “sweep it under the rug.”

                     Justice had to be done–the penalty must be paid!

How can God remain just and still declare sinful people righteous?

"PROPITIATION" used in some translations to describe concept:

Jesus was offered to satisfy the just demands God requires because of our crimes against Him.

Jesus met all the demands of God’s law and of His righteous nature.

Now God is able to forgive our sins and remain just.

                 The penalty has been paid in full!

No one can accuse God of being unfair for “passing over” our sin.

Since our salvation isn't merited, we have no basis for boasting 3:27-28

    Works we accomplish–based on keeping the law–are no longer counted.

Lit. translation of v. 27 responds to incorrect view of O.T. salvation.–play of words on “law”

            Boasting is excluded–based on what kind of law?

Is it excluded by a works-based law? NO! Then we would deserve eternal life.

                 Boasting is excluded by a faith-based law

If the law proposes salvation by faith–then no one has cause to boast.

That’s Paul’s point: even the law points to salvation by faith!

People who think they can be saved by keeping the law didn’t get that idea from the law!

The law points to Christ => shed blood provided forgiveness for law breakers!

                         It’s all based on faith!

God justifies circumcised and uncircumcised on the basis of faith 3:29-30

Stuart Briscoe: church of Nativity in Bethlehem– problem with low entry way. He asked why they built it this way. Years ago nobility rode their horses into it. Authorities decided entrance that brought everyone down to same level would be appropriate. That’s what Christ’s sacrifice did for us!

Salvation by faith doesn’t invalidate the law; it affirms the law 3:31

This salvation Jesus paid for makes the law more secure

        The law’s demands can only be fulfilled by Christ's work.

Doctrine of justification by faith:

    God declared us perfect, on basis of Christ's work on the cross.

        Negative aspect:      It has taken away our sins

        Positive aspect:  It has credited Christ's righteousness to us

It isn't by our works, but by His work, completed on the cross.

God's righteousness is received by faith in Christ—NOT works of law

In WHOM we place our trust is the important question.

It’s not faith itself–not faith in faith–that saves us, but the object of our faith, Christ,

We often compare faith to sitting in a chair. 

    If you have real faith, you’ll rest your weight on that chair and relax in it!

But if a chair isn’t strong enough to hold you–isn’t worthy of your trust–you’ll be picking yourself up off the floor! Are we trusting the right thing? With Jesus, you can’t go wrong!

The value of faith is based on Him and on work He accomplished

        The value of our faith isn't based on the fact of our faith,

            nor on the quantity of our faith,

            but on the OBJECT of our faith

It’s based on JESUS!–we trust Him and what He did for us.

People tell you that to be saved you must keep the law, or another set of standards people have invented.

    God says we can't do it.    Never could! Never will! We're sunk!

BUT, there is GOOD NEWS!

        WHAT WE COULDN'T DO, GOD HAS DONE FOR US in Christ!

Acts 13:38-39: “Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.

Phil 3:8b-9: I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

That’s way to eternal life: NOT OUR righteousness; but HIS righteousness, we receive by trusting God’s Son, who died in our place on the cross.

IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR LIVES?

    1)     God’s people need to understand the gospel

            This is not a free lunch!      It cost Christ everything.

                 He became man and died for us.

                 But now it's paid for!

I once went lunch with 2 guys from the church.

    Someone from the church was sitting there when we walked in.

        We greeted them and sat down across the room to talk. Eventually, the other people left.

    When we asked for check, waitress informed us the people from church paid for our lunch.

        One of our young people was with us. He spoke up. “Wait. They can’t do that!”

    But the restaurant wouldn’t let us pick up the tab! It was paid in full! There was nothing to pay!

DON'T TRY TO PICK UP THE TAB!

John Wesley was a missionary from England to Georgia. All his life he had been a failure, though he was pious. He got up at 4 a.m. and prayed for 2 hrs, read Bible for hr before going to jails and hospitals to minister to others. He would teach, pray for others, and help them until late at night for years.

On trip back to England, a storm arose. Ship was about to sink. Huge waves broke over ship; wind roared. Wesley feared he would die. He had no assurance. Despite efforts to be good.

Some were singing hymns. He asked, "How can you sing when you’re about to die?" They replied, "If this ship goes down we’ll be with the Lord." Wesley went away shaking his head, "How can they know that? What have they done that I haven’t done?"

            "I came to convert the heathen, but who shall convert me?"

Eventually ship made it to England. Wesley found a small chapel. He heard a man reading a sermon written 2 centuries before by Martin Luther. Sermon described faith: It is trusting Jesus alone for salvation—not our good works. Wesley realized he’d been on wrong road. He wrote: "I trusted in Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death."

Wesley’s brother, Charles, wrote in theological terms the reality John experienced:

“No condemnation now I dread;

    Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!

    Alive in Him, my living Head! And clothed in righteousness divine.

    Bold, I approach the eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ, my own.

Trust Him and the work He has already completed for us!

    2)     We have nothing to brag about!

    3) We have plenty to shout about!

            We need to share that message with other people

                 God’s righteousness is available to us as a gift, if we’ll trust His Son!

    Pray for Two!      Someone to whom you could present this message.

Write name down to remind you to pray for them daily.

        Ask God to give an opportunity to share good news with this person. Watch for God to open door to share good news with them!