Romans 3:21-31 – Redemption in Christ Jesus
Week 1 - February 24-March 1
“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 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. 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.
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. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law. ”
Lent is a season of lament, crying out to God about what is broken and what is not right. Over the past few years at Redemption Hill, we have turned the season of Lent toward not just fasting, but also feasting together. The recipes and devotionals in this book are a call to our church to come together, even at scattered tables, to share common meals throughout this season. All of this looks ahead to Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. We can come to God in lament without it turning to despair. The truth is that even as we remember the sufferings of Christ, we do so in the light of the hope of His resurrection and glory.
With all that in mind, it is fitting to start with such a central passage in our study of Romans together. Romans 3:23-24 capture, in just two verses, all depths of our hopelessness and need, and all the heights of the grace of God. Take the time to read this passage. Then read it again several times over. Even as we begin a season that is so often set aside for fasting, allow your heart to feast on the glory of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The most important goal we can have during this season together is to have our hearts set more fully on Christ.
Questions to Ponder:
How are you preparing your own heart for this season of Lent?
Take some time to write a prayer of response to this passage, responding to God for what He has done for you in Christ.