Read Romans 1:16 & 17
- What are the two pillars of the Gospel concept that we have considered over the past two Sunday services?
- Why is Paul “not ashamed of the gospel?” (Rom. 1:16)?
- When/Where are you tempted to compromise on your belief?
- How have you experienced the power of God in your life- in salvation, daily provision, spiritual growth, healing and deliverance?
- How does your own testimony in this regard, help you to be a bold witness in sharing with others?
- How is the “righteousness of God” revealed in the gospel (Rom. 1:17)?
Definition: Justification- The act of God’s grace in bringing sinners into a new covenant relationship with himself and counting them as righteous before him through the forgiveness of sins (Rom. 3:20–26).
Definition: Glorification- The work of God in believers to bring them to the ultimate and perfect stage of salvation—full Christlikeness—following his justification and sanctification of them (See: Rom. 8:29–30). Glorification includes believers receiving imperishable resurrection bodies at Christ’s return (See: 1 Cor. 15:42–43). How is the Righteous of God received by us?
The righteous will live by faith.
Salvation by grace received through faith, apart from works of the law, is not a New Testament invention. When Paul writes these words in Romans 1:17, he is quoting Habakkuk 2:4 and recalling the way of salvation from the beginning. As Paul will explain more fully in Romans 4, even for Abraham, the father of the Jewish people, it was not obedience but trusting faith that put him right with God (see also (See Galatians 3). When we exercise faith in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of our sins, resisting the temptation to rely even in part on our own performance, we are “the sons of Abraham” (Gal. 3:7) and are blessed along with him (Gal. 3:9).
We often call it saving faith as without such faith God’s power to save is withheld from us, this is our part in salvation and a necessary response from us. It involves and requires repentance as we turn to the Lord in faith.
The Gospel flows from the heart of God. He is perfect in every single way. It is the Gospel that reveals this righteousness of God- who He and how he lovingly has acted towards sinners who can now stand in a right relationship with God by faith. The Gospel shows how God could remain righteous, holy & perfect without compromising himself & his justice by pardoning the guilty. The righteousness of God in Vs 17 is in the context of God’s saving righteousness- justification. God’s righteousness is his saving action on behalf of his people. God’s gift and God’s power cannot be separated from one another. (See: 2 Co 5:21).
Elsewhere in the Bible, you also find the righteousness of God in a transformative sense in the way it changes us as people- sanctification. This is God’s righteousness in terms of His power to change us. Liberated from a sinful life by God’s righteous transforming power.
The Gospel reveals how the righteousness of God was upheld & satisfied in Jesus who paid the price/penalty for our sin in full.
John Stott explains that Righteousness of God can be thought of as a divine attribute (our God is a righteous God), an activity of God in saving on behalf of his people (he comes to our rescue), & 3rd a divine achievement (he bestows on us a righteous status) through the atoning sacrifice of the cross, which he reveals in the gospel, & which he bestows freely on all who trust in Jesus Christ”
Child of God this is most comforting affirming truths in all Bible & most challenging at same time.
Personal Implications
Take time to reflect on the implications of Romans 1:1–17 for your own life today. Note the personal implications for your walk with the Lord in light of the Gospel and how this calls you to act in ways that are different to the past.
There is no fear of condemnation in Jesus Christ- not from God. And there is no fear in condemnation- not from people. Confess your sins to Him so that you can experience the forgiveness that comes from Jesus Christ and the liberation that comes through Him.
Adapted from ‘Romans: A 12-Week Study by Jared C. Wilson.’