By Faith, Apart from Works

Romans 3:20-28 answers how a sinner can stand righteous before a holy God. This Reformation Day sermon explains that justification in this passage is a legal verdict. God, the judge in the courtroom of heaven, declares a person righteous, and that verdict stands outside the believer, distinct from the inner renewal of sanctification. It rejects three unbiblical views: legalism, which trusts in our own law-keeping; universalism, which expects God to save everyone; and the Roman Catholic teaching that God infuses grace into the soul so that the believer can merit justifying righteousness. Paul teaches instead that God gives his righteousness in Christ as a gift, which the sinner receives by faith apart from works of the law. Christ's blood satisfied God's wrath, so God remains just when he justifies believers, and all boasting falls away.