Received by Faith (3:27 thru 4:25) The principle established 3:27-31)

Received by Faith (3:27 thru 4:25)

The principle established 3:27-31)

 Today I have copied the discussion parts from the Life Application New Testament Commentary. (Control Click will take you to where it can be purchased.) This commentary is amazing and adding it to your e-bible is well worth the cost.

Rom 3:27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. Rom 3:28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.

3:27-28 In conclusion, Paul writes that there is no room for personal pride. There can be no boasting heritage, law, or works. God’s acquittal is not based on our good deeds. It is based on our faith. Why are we made right with God through faith?

·Faith eliminates the pride of human effort, because faith is not a deed that we do.

·Faith exalts what God has done, not what people do.

·Faith admits that we can’t keep the law or measure up to God’s standards—we need help.

·Faith is based on our relationship with God, not our performance for God.

Most religions prescribe specific duties that must be performed to make a person acceptable to God. Christianity is unique in teaching that the good works we do will not make us right with God. No amount of human achievement or progress in personal development will close the gap between God’s moral perfection and our imperfect daily performance. So there can be no basis for pride. Good deeds are important, but they will not earn us eternal life. We are saved only by trusting in what God has done for us through Jesus Christ (see Eph_2:8-10).

Rom 3:29 After all, is God the God of the Jews only? Isn't He also the God of the Gentiles? Of course He is. Rom 3:30 There is only one God, and He makes people right with Himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.

3:29-30 Again, the Jews cannot claim sole propriety of God or deny that Gentiles can also receive God’s saving grace. The Old Testament consistently recorded God’s inclusion of the Gentiles in his plans. God had promised Abraham, “All the families of the earth will be blessed through you” (Gen_12:3). Paul simply states the logical necessity. Because there is only one true God, then he is God of all his creation and calls both Jews and Gentiles to faith in him. The question of being right with God will not be settled according to those who have and have not been circumcised, but rather by their faith, whatever their physical lineage.

Rom 3:31 Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.

3:31 Paul envisions the Jewish critic raising a valid question: If we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Paul answers, Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law. The law is not something that only the Jews can “do” for God; the law is for both Jews and Gentiles and can only be “done” through faith in Christ. Faith returns the law to its proper place and role in God’s plan for people. Faith does not wipe out the Old Testament; rather, it makes God’s dealings with the Jewish people understandable. (See also Rom_5:20-21; Rom_8:3-4; Rom_13:9-10; Gal_3:24-29; 1Ti_1:8.)