How Can Man Be Right with God?
Romans 1:17
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The Main Point: The good news means that what Jesus has done on the cross provides the way for us to be right with God.
1. What does it mean to be right with God? — “...the righteousness of God...”
❑ Two understandings
▻ Righteousness that is God’s in His essence and nature. He IS righteous.
▻ Righteousness that God demands of His creatures (because He is righteous)
❑ “of God” → God defines righteousness not us. It’s HIS standard
◈ To be right with God is to be in alignment with His will in our thoughts, actions, and affections.
2. How does one become right with God? — “the righteousness of God is revealed...”
❑ “Is revealed” is passive voice. Righteousness is OBTAINED not ATTAINED.
❑ Revealed in God’s WORD
▻ Garden of Eden → God told Adam and Eve the rules
▻ Abraham → covenant, sealed with circumcision
▻ Law/Moses → revealed the incapability of man to be right
▻ Prophets → repeated warnings to repent
❑ Accomplished through Christ’s WORK → 2 Corinthians 5:21
❑ Applied through our FAITH in Christ. “From faith to faith” → Ephesians 2:8-9
▻ Righteousness is both “imputed” and “enabled.”
◈ We cannot earn our way into righteousness. We receive by faith the righteousness of Christ. Our righteousness is like “filthy rags.” → Isaiah 64:6
3. What are the effects of being right with God? — “the just shall live by faith...”
❑ “shall live” can be understood in three tenses of time:
▻ PAST TENSE ➙ A redeemed life ➙ Galatians 3:11
▻ PRESENT TENSE ➙ A growing life
▻ FUTURE TENSE ➙ An eternal life ➙ Hebrews 10:38
◈ We are saved, sanctified, and glorified through our faith in what Jesus has done on the cross.
