WEEK 3

THE GREAT EXCHANGE

In these verses, we read about the transition from the "verdict" to the "solution" - justification.

Section 1: The mechanics of grace. Redemption and propitiation through Christ’s blood.

Romans 3:21-26 (ESV):

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

• The righteousness of God is His covenant of faithfulness: The righteousness of God refers to God’s own loyalty to the promises He made to Abraham. God promised to bless the whole world through Israel, and in Jesus’ death, He has finally fulfilled that promise despite Israel’s own unfaithfulness.
• Propitiation explained: Paul explains propitiation (often translated as hilasterion) by evoking the imagery of the Tabernacle. Jesus’ death is the "place" where God’s presence and human sin meet, and where sin is dealt with once and for all, allowing God to be both just (punishing sin) and the justifier (loving the sinner).

Section 2: Faith, not works. Boasting is excluded because salvation is a gift.

Romans 3:27-31 (ESV):

Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

• No boasting: Boasting is excluded not just because of human pride, but because the Jewish people thought their possession of the Torah gave them a private status with God. Faith levels the playing field, creating a single family where there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile.
• Faith doesn't overthrow the law; rather, it fulfils the law's true purpose: The Law’s goal was always to point toward the time when God would create a worldwide family characterized by faith rather than by Jewish ethnic markers like circumcision or dietary laws.

Section 3: The Example of Abraham. Proof that God has always justified by faith, not circumcision

Romans 4:3-5:

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in[a] him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,

• Justification: When God reckons or credits righteousness to Abraham, He is granting him a legal status. It is like a judge acquitting a defendant; the person is in the right not because they never did anything wrong, but because the judge has declared them to be a member of the covenant family (justification).
• Notice the crucial chronological fact: Abraham was declared righteous in Genesis 15, but he wasn't circumcised until Genesis 17. Therefore, circumcision (the work) was merely a sign of a status Abraham already possessed through faith. This proves that God’s family has always been open to the uncircumcised.

CONCLUSION

Righteousness is credited to us, not earned by us. Righteousness is God’s gift of covenant membership. We do not earn our way into this family by working hard to keep a moral code; instead, we are reckoned as part of the family the moment we trust in the God who raised Jesus from the dead.

CALL TO ACTION

We have assurance of peace with God through faith alone. Think about your greatest "debt" - the thing that makes them feel they don't belong in God's family. Bring it before God this week and know that His blood covers a multitude of sin as we come before Him in repentance.