Justified by Grace Through Faith

God’s Righteousness come not by Law-Keeping
a. The righteousness of God cannot be obtained by the deeds of the law (cf. v. 28), nor can we add to it.
b. If it were obtained by works, we are doomed.

God’s Righteousness without the Law is not New.
a. It has always been so since OT times, but is now made clear.
b. If we read the OT without pharisaical lenses, we will know this to be true.

God’s Righteousness is Obtained by Faith in Christ
a. The law and the prophets are unanimous in testifying that the righteousness of God is obtained by faith in the Christ or Messiah to come.
b. “Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel” (WSC 86).

God’s Righteousness is Given to All Believers
a. Every sinner stands in need of the righteousness of God no matter how wicked or how moral they may appear to be, for all have fallen short of God’s glory.
b. All who believe in Christ receives justification (cf. Jn 6:37).

God’s Righteousness is Given Freely
a. Justification is given without condition. Actual personal righteousness is a fruit rather than condition of justification (Thus Luther: says simul Justus et peccator, “at the same time just and sinner.”)
b. God calls whom He will and justifies whom He wills sovereignly.

God’s Righteousness was Paid for by Christ
a. We were sinners held in captive slavery by Satan, Sin and the Wrath to Come. But we were redeem by the blood of Christ (1 Pet 1:19).
b. Our sins were transferred to Christ.

God’s Righteousness is Declare in the Context of Justice.