The Righteousness and Justice of God

GOLDEN TEXT: “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” —Romans 1:16

ROMANS 1:8-17; 2:1,2; 3:21,22

OUR Golden Text expresses what might be called the theme of Paul’s letter to the brethren in Rome. He declares that the “Gospel of Christ” is the “power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth,” both Jew and Greek—in fact, to all Gentiles. The Jewish nation had been endeavoring to obtain salvation by keeping the Law. They had failed, but now, Paul shows, the power of God is exercised to give salvation to both Jews and Gentiles who believe and obey the Gospel of Christ.

What is the “Gospel of Christ”? In verses 1 and 2 of the first chapter Paul calls it the “Gospel of God” which had been foretold by the prophets of the Old Testament. A more definite statement concerning the Gospel of Christ is found in Galatians 3:8 where Paul informs us that it was preached beforehand unto Abraham when God promised that through him and his “seed” all the nations of the earth would be blessed.

In Galatians 3:16 Paul identifies the “seed” of Abraham as Christ, and in verses 27-29 of the same chapter adds the information that all who are baptized into Christ are also a part of this seed, “and heirs according to the promise.” Briefly stated, then, there are two aspects to the Gospel of Christ; first the development of the “seed” of promise, then the blessing of all the families of the earth through the promised “seed.”

In his letter to the church at Rome, Paul discusses the principles of the Gospel which relate particularly to those who are “heirs according to the promise,” that is, those who are “in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”—Rom. 8:1

It was not the fault of the Law that the Jews did not obtain salvation through their efforts to keep it. It was “ordained to give life,” but they found it to be unto death because they were unable to meet its righteous requirements. So to the Jewish converts in Rome he emphasizes the futility of continuing their efforts along this line. The 4th chapter indicates that some were still clinging to circumcision as though it were a saving ordinance.

The Law brought condemnation to the Jews, rather than peace with God and salvation. The Gentiles also were under condemnation, for although they had not been under the Mosaic Law, they violated the laws of nature which were in evidence all around them. “That which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them,” writes Paul, “for the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”—Rom. 1:19,20

“By the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified,” Paul states. (3:20) However, “the righteousness of God without the Law is manifested, being witnessed [or testified] by the Law and the prophets.” (3:21) This righteousness we attain through faith, and it is available to all who believe, whether they be Jew or Gentile. “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”—ch. 5:1

Having a standing of righteousness before God, and upon this basis enjoying his favor and having a hope of life, is referred to in various ways throughout the epistle. It is “justification,” and in chapter 8 verse 1, it is described as a condition whereby there is “no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus [members of his mystical body, and therefore a part of the ‘seed’ of Abraham], who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

In chapter 8:31 this same blessed standing with God is described as a position in which God is for us. And because God is for us, no one can effectively be against us. “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect?” the apostle asks. “It is God that justifieth,” he continues, therefore no one can properly condemn us. Nor can anyone separate us from the love of God as long as we maintain our faith in the justifying power of Christ and his meritorious sacrifice on our behalf, and render full devotion to the Gospel.

Our devotion to God through the arrangements of the Gospel is described in chapter 12:1, where we read, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, your reasonable service.”

QUESTIONS

What is the theme of the Book of Romans?

What are two principal aspects of the Gospel of Christ, and which of these is particularly discussed in the Book of Romans?

Why did the Jews fail to get life under the Law?

How are the Gentiles condemned?

Upon what basis do we receive the life-giving benefits of the Gospel?

Mention some of the ways in which Paul describes the condition of harmony with God.

How does Paul describe our full devotion to God and to the doing of his will?

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