God’s Grace in Romans
Faith Conclusion on Justification
We saw from our last discussion that Christ is our eternal Mercy Seat whose death paid for all sins forever, even the sins of all the old testament saints. And that today because he lives in us, we are vessels of mercy, forever enjoying God’s love and pardon.
Then we hear;
Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.Romans 3:27
The apostle after thoroughly casting down the folly of the Gentile who looked to the law of nature for righteousness, and the Jew who looked to the law of works for righteousness:
Now triumphs over all by righteousness of God which annihilates merit of any kind, removing every kind of boasting and leaving man completely at the mercy of God.
Where is boasting? We hear “It is excluded.” “By what law? Of works?” Nay! How many works of the law did you keep to receive Jesus?
None I guess. We only received the forgiveness of sins through faith in the death of Christ.
If there is a little work from us to earn salvation before and after we receive Jesus then man has good grounds to boast but not before God.
By Grace; the undeserved, unearned, unmerited, unconditional and all empowering grace of God are we saved through faith. Salvation is a free gift of God’s grace so that no man should boast before God.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.Ephesians 2:8-9
There is the law of works and the law of faith. These are antagonistic, where the law of works is at work, boasting is eminent and the law of faith is vitiated
And where the law of faith is at work, boasting is abjured, only Christ is glorified. Remember these are laws, and laws are constants!
Then we hear;
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Romans 3:28
Now observe carefully the statement “we conclude.” He does not say ‘I conclude.’ but “we conclude” making it a unanimous decision.
There was a time in the days of the apostles even as it is right now, when there was a huge dispute among Jewish believers toward freely justified Gentiles as it concerns being justified by the law of works or by the law of faith alone in the grace of God.
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.Acts 15:5
So when this dispute about grace and law went on so strong among the early believers, the apostles and elders had to sit together to consider the matter through scripture and the Holy Spirit;
And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.Acts 15:6
Peter, Paul James with all the apostle and elders who were pillars came together and considered this matter. After a long dispute, Peter rose up and concluded,
Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.Acts 15:6
Observe carefully Peter’s statement about the law being a yoke “which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?”
Peter declared that no one, not even their fathers that received the law were able to keep it, that they themselves, Holy Ghost filled, miracle working apostles were not able to keep it, but believed that “through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved,”
So the apostle Paul, after thorough scriptural examination by the revelation of the Spirit and the unanimous decision of the apostles, concludes that “a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”
Confession;
Heavenly Father I thank you for the gracious work of accepting the unqualified as I am.
Thank you for placing me under the law of faith where the law of the Spirit of life has silenced the law of sin and death in my life.
By faith I am justified, I have access through faith into the inexhaustible riches of God’s grace.
I enjoy the uninterrupted flow of God’s grace in my body, marriage, ministry, work, and every area of my life through Christ Jesus.
Prophetic Insight
In an encounter of the Lord, I heard “Do not let go dear child, hold unto to the seed, the promise is my vision for you.
Keep the word, guard it, stay in my will, and let patience have it’s way in your life. After you have done this, you will receive the promise, for the time of patience is actually the time of growth.
As you keep my word, I assure you dear child, without effort you are receiving the promise, you will not be unrewarded”
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. Luke 8:15
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.Hebrews 10:36
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Jahfas Victor Ahua
Living Hill Christian Church