By Faith

 November 22, 2021

In tonight’s men’s Bible study, we looked at St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, chapters 3 and 4, where he writes about what God has done for us in Christ. He uses two analogies to help us understand. The first is taken from the judicial system. 

In chapter 3, he writes, 

“By the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed… even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.” —Romans 3:20-22

Before the law, we are either innocent or guilty. Paul says here, and in v.23, that we are all guilty; we’ve all sinned. But God has “justified [us] freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…by his blood.” (v. 24-25) Standing before God as judge, I am guilty and have no ability to pay the fine (6:23—“The wages of sin is death.”), but Jesus paid the fine by dying in our place. Legally, the fine for sin has been paid, and I am free to go.

In chapter 4:1-8, Paul’s analogy changes to the world of finance when he says, “To him who does not work but believes on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness” (v. 5). My bank account was overdrawn; I was spiritually bankrupt. I could stand before God for eternity signing spiritual checks filled out with all the good things I’ve done, and I would still be overdrawn.

But Jesus steps in, places his riches in my account, and signs all the checks. It’s his name on the signature line, and his account is always full. I cash those checks every day simply by faith.

Here’s where it gets a bit dicey: Whenever I screw things up, I look at the Law and realize I’m guilty. If I try to defend myself, all I’m doing is leaning on that Law which has already pronounced me guilty. If I am to be free, I must believe that God did what he claimed to have done in Jesus Christ—he paid my penalty. 

On the contrary, when I get to thinking I’m doing pretty well and try to cash those righteousness checks with my name on them, they bounce. Only when I draw upon what Jesus Christ has done can I experience the riches of his grace.

Legally, I’m guilty, but Jesus paid the fine.

Financially (spiritually speaking), I’m overdrawn, but Jesus has deposited his righteousness in my account.

But only when I believe this do I experience the benefit of both freedom from guilt and power to live a holy life. God is so good! I am so blessed!