A Journey with The Book of Romans
Part 2: The Redemption – “Justified by Jesus”
Romans 6:23 (NKJV):
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
INTRODUCTION
Paul establishes that all have sin and fallen short. We find Romans 3:21-26 He establishes that God set forth as a propitiation by His blood through faith to demonstrate his righteousness.
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ROMANS 3:21-26 – RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH FAITH
Romans 3:21-26 (NKJV):
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
QUICK BREAKDOWN:
Paul makes it plain: God’s righteousness is not earned by keeping rules; it is received through faith in Jesus Christ. Every person has sinned and fallen short of God’s standard. Sin may look different in different lives, but it still separates us from God and leaves us in need of grace.
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EXAMPLES OF SIN:
Whether you cheat on your spouse or cheat on your taxes, it is all sin. Lying, gossiping, stealing, unforgiveness, pride, lust, hatred, jealousy, dishonesty, mistreating people, and knowingly disobeying God are also sin. Some sins may produce different earthly consequences, but no one can claim to be righteous by comparison. We all need the same Savior.
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APPLICATION:
Stop measuring your goodness against someone else’s behavior. Admit where you have fallen short, repent honestly, and receive the grace Jesus purchased with His blood. Then extend grace to others, remembering that you were redeemed by mercy, not rescued by your own goodness.
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MAIN TAKEAWAY: We are all guilty of sin, but everyone who places faith in Jesus can be justified freely by God’s grace.
WHAT IS JUSTIFICATION?
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Justification is a central theme in Pauline theology.
What is Pauline theology?
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The systematic framework of Christian beliefs, doctrines, and ethics found in the N.T. Pauls letters shape how believers understand God, Christ, humanity and salvation. His theology form the core of Christian doctrine and bridge Jesus life and teaching with the practical reality of the early church community.
HOW DO YOU EXPERIENCE JUSTIFICATION?
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You experience justification through the SOTERIOLOGICAL SYSTEM.
What is the soteriological system?
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The structured study and explanation of how God saves humanity from sin and its consequences through Jesus Christ.
It comes from the Greek word Soteria, meaning salvation or deliverance.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Because without understanding justification, we will either: try to earn God’s love through works (legalism) or misuse grace as an excuse to remain in sin (license).
WHERE DOES JUSTIFICATION FIT?
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Within that salvation roadmap, justification is the moment where God declares you “not guilty” because of what Jesus did on the cross.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “EXPERIENCE THE RESULTS OF JUSTIFICATION THROUGH GRACE”?
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It means this: God doesn’t just clear your record; God invites you into a new way of life.
Romans 5:1 (NKJV)
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,…
MAKE IT MAKE SENSE MOMENT:
Justification is what God does for you.
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Sanctification (also part of soteriology) is what God does in you.
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Glorification is what God will do with you.
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FAITH: JUSTIFICATION COMES THROUGH BELIEF, NOT WORKS
Romans 4:3–5 (NKJV):
3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,…
ROMANS 4:16-23 – JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
Romans 4:16-23 (NKJV):
16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 17 (as it is written, ‘I have made you a father of many nations’) in the presence of Him whom he believed-God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, ‘So shall your descendants be.’
19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead, since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore it was accounted to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him,
QUICK BREAKDOWN:
Justification is received by faith so that salvation rests on grace and the promise is available to everyone who believes. Abraham faced impossible facts but trusted the God who gives life to the dead and fulfills what He promises.
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APPLICATION:
Do not let delay, weakness, age, or impossible circumstances cancel your confidence in God. Keep believing, give God glory while you wait, and act in agreement with His promise. Your right standing with God depends on faith in Christ, not on perfect performance.
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MAIN TAKEAWAY: Faith does not deny the facts; faith trusts that God is greater than the facts.
Imputation means ____.
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There Are Three Major Imputations in Scripture:
Adam’s Sin Imputed to Humanity
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Romans 5:12 (NKJV) – “Through one man sin entered the world…”
Our Sin Imputed to Christ
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV) – “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us…”
Christ’s Righteousness Imputed to Believers
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Romans 4:22–24 (NKJV) – “It was accounted to him for righteousness…”
Main Takeaway: Justification isn’t a reward for the righteous; it’s a gift for the guilty who believe.
FAVOR: PEACE AND ACCESS THROUGH GRACE
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Read Romans 5:1–8 (NKJV):
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God…
Let’s Break This Down…
Peace with God
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How Can We Be Enemies of God?
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Access to Grace
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Tribulation Produces Hope
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Demonstration of Love
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Main Takeaway: Don’t live life trying to “pay God back.” Just rest in God’s peace and stand firmly in grace.
FREEDOM: FROM SIN, NOT FREEDOM TO SIN
Romans 6:1–4 (NKJV)
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Free Will in Justification
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Baptism
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Main Takeaway: Grace is not a license to sin; it’s the liberty to live free from sin’s power.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
Reflect on how your new life in Christ sets you free.
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Renounce lingering habits or sin that contradict your new identity.
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Write a personal declaration of your identity in Christ.
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