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New Testament Survey

Session 28 Who Are the Just?

Reading Assignment for Session 28

Day Reading Assignment
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Romans 1-2 (Jews and Gentiles Under Judgment) Romans 3-4 (Righteousness Through Faith) Romans 5-8 (Adam and Christ, Law and Sin, Life in the Spirit) Romans 9-11 (Israel Past Present and Future, The Wild Olive Grafted In) Romans 12-16 (Life in the Body of Christ) Session 28 Notes Rest, Reflection, and Prayer

Romans, Introduction
It has been said that Romans is a book which will delight the greatest logician, and will hold the attention of the wisest of men, yet will bring the most hardened soul in tears of repentance to the feet of his Savior. This epistle was not written by an unlettered fisherman. Paul was a Roman citizen with an elite Hebrew education and a Greek cultural background. The epistle to the Romans is the most profound writing that exists anywhere. Though never mentioned explicitly, it seems very likely that Paul wrote this letter from the city of Corinth, with Cenchrea (Romans 16:1) being its eastern harbor. The letter was written at the close of Pauls third missionary journey, probably in the late winter or early spring of A.D. 57 or 58, during the three months he was in Greece (Acts 20:3) and just before his return to Jerusalem with the offering from the churches of Macedonia and Achaia for the Jerusalem church (Romans 15:26). Romans has been called The Gospel of Paul. What was Pauls gospel? In 1Corinthians 15:3-4, Paul clearly defines his gospel message according to three specific events: First, Christ died for our sins as proclaimed in the Old Testament Scriptures. Second, He was buried. And third, He rose again on the third day according to the Old Testament Scriptures. Thats the gospel according to Paul. Lets look at a few things that the gospel is NOT: Not a code of ethics or morals; Not a creed to be accepted; Not a system of religious protocols to be adhered to; Not a good advice to follow; The gospel is a message concerning grace which is manifest in Jesus Christ the God-man. What is grace? Heres a cute little definition that helps us remember

GRACE = Gods Righteousness At Christs Expense

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Session 28 Who Are the Just?

Did Christ come to teach us how to be good? Well, He did show and teach many wonderful examples of how citizens of the Kingdom of God will live but was that His primary mission? Is that the gospel? In the parable of the Prodigal Son, does the father say: Your brother was really bad, but now he is good? No! Heres what he says: this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found. (Luke 15:32).

Christ did not come to make bad men good. He came to give dead men life!
And this is the primary message and purpose of Pauls letter to the Romans. One final thing in the way of introduction: In the first chapter, verse 17, Paul quotes this verse from the prophet Habakkuk: The Just Shall Live by his Faith (Habakkuk 2:4). Some have noticed a structure or organization in three of the epistles of the New Testament that seem to form a trilogy around this incredible verse: 1. Romans: Who are the just (Romans 1:17) 2. Galatians: How shall the just live? (Galatians 3:11) 3. Hebrews: What does it mean to live by faith? (Hebrews 10:38)

Romans: An Outline
1) Romans 1-8 Doctrinal Sin (Romans 1-3) Salvation (Romans 4-5) Sanctification (Romans 6-8)

Faith Hope

2) Romans 9-11 Dispensational Israel Past (Romans 9) Israel Present (Romans 10) Israel Future (Romans 11) 3) Romans 12-16 Practical

Love

Paul outlines his theology according to three great themes: A Doctrinal theme, a Dispensational theme, and a Practical theme. Some have also noted that the subtitles of these three sections could very well be: Faith, Hope, and Love. Lets look at each of these three sections in turn.

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Section 1: Doctrine/Faith, Ch. 1-8 (Sin, Salvation and Sanctification)

The Diagnosis of Sin The Pagan Man (Romans 1) The Moral Man (Romans 2:1-16) The Religious Man (Romans 2:17-29) Gods Greatest Problem (Romans 3) Gods Greatest Gift (Romans 4) The Path to Maturity (Romans 5) The Death of Defeat (It Aint Gonna Reign No More) (Romans 6) Law School (Romans 7) The Security We Have in Christ (Romans 8)

Romans 1-2; The Great Leveler

In Romans 1, Paul describes Pagan People. In Romans 2, he takes up Moral People, and Religious People. He carefully establishes, much like a prosecuting attorney, that each of these groups have transgressed and are guilty before God. In these first two chapters, Pauls intention is to cast a net from which no one can escape. Everyone fits within one of these categories, and Paul teaches us that all three fall short of the requirements of a perfect and Holy God. These passages are the great leveler. One of the most difficult, yet most important things we must come to grips with is this: Regarding our salvation, the very best person you can call to mind (Mother Teresa; Martin Luther King Jr.; The Apostle Paul), stands before the righteous and Holy God on equal footing with the very worst person you can call to mind (Hitler; Jeffrey Dahmer; or the wife-beating crack-head who was arrested for child abuse last night). How then can we be saved? All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. (Isaiah 64:5-6) God hates all sin, and all sin must and will be judged. You and I think of sin in terms of:

BIG SINS
sin:

and little sins.

We tend to wink at some sins (Boys will be boys!), while we gasp in horror at others. But heres the deal: God does not wink at any sin! His holiness demands that all sin be judged. So, while you and I believe that it is merciful to excuse minor offenses, God does not ever excuse

BIG

or little.

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And yet, God loves us. He does not want us to die in our sins. He wants us (every single last one of us) to have life with Him! He desires our fellowship, our worship, and our love. It would appear then, that God has one big honkn problem on His hands!

Romans 3, Gods Greatest Problem

Gods big honkn problem is further illustrated in chapter 3, where Paul quotes from the Psalms and the prophet Isaiah to conclude that There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. (Romans 3:10-11). It seems that Paul has laid out Mission Impossible here. How can God justify unrighteous man without violating His own nature, His holiness, and His justice? Even Socrates could not imagine a way for God to solve this problem: It may be that the Deity can forgive sins, but I do not see how. (Socrates, to Plato, 500 B.C.)

Romans 4, Gods Greatest Gift

Beginning with these words in Romans 3:21, and continuing through chapter 4, Paul describes Gods solution this impossible dilemma: But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. (Romans 3:21) It is the most incomprehensible; the most brilliant; the most fascinating; and the most loving solution imaginable. God solves the problem by entering His creation, taking all of humankinds sin unto Himself, and then judging that sin by sentencing Himself to death so that you and I might have life. In his book In the Grip of Grace, Max Lucado describes it this way:

Ponder the achievement of God. He doesn't condone our sin, nor does He compromise His standard. He doesn't ignore our rebellion, nor does He relax His demands. Rather than dismiss our sin, He assumes our sin and, incredibly, sentences Himself. God's holiness is honored. Our sin is punished... and we are redeemed. God does what we cannot do so we can be what we dare not dream: perfect before God.

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Romans 5, The Path to Maturity

Romans chapter 5 describes the path to spiritual maturity. When I read this passage, I imagine a stairway leading up from Spiritual blindness to Spiritual maturity. The first step is tribulation. Troubles are Gods way of helping us grow, because from tribulation comes perseverance, and through perseverance we get experience. And do you know whats at the top of the stairs? What does Paul describe as the loftiest attribute of Spiritual maturity? Hope! Isnt that interesting the measure of our spiritual maturity is the depth and sincerity of our hope (cf. Romans 5:3-4) Here is an interesting list of passages that seem to describe a number of reasons that Christians have trials. I thought it was pretty insightful: 1. To glorify God Dan 3:16-18, 24-25 2. Discipline for known sin Heb 12:5-11; James 4:17; Rom 14:23; 1 Jn 1:9 3. To prevent us from falling into sin 1 Pet 4:1-2 4. To build faith 1 Pet 1:6-7 5. To cause growth Rom 5:3-5 6. To teach obedience and discipline Acts 9:15-16; Phil 4:11-13 7. To equip us to comfort others 2 Cor 1:3-4 8. To prove the reality of Christ in us 2 Cor 4:7-11 9. For testimony to the angels Job 1:8; Eph 3:8-11; 1 Pet 1:12 Why should a Christian suffer? Why Not? Theyre the only ones who can handle it. - C.S. Lewis If you squeeze a lemon, you get lemon juice. If you squeeze an orange, you get orange juice. If you squeeze a Christian, you should get Christ! The Three Tenses of Salvation (Excerpt from A Bible Helps Booklet No. 339, By Harold S. Martin) According to the message of the Bible, every human being comes into the world with an inborn nature that is inclined to go astray. It is not that a child is born with a thirst for robbing a bank, but we are all predisposed toward doing wrong. Most of us underestimate the sinfulness of the human heart-the extent of pride, the stubbornness of the mind, the lack of genuine love toward others, and the distrust of God when we face hard places in life. All of us need salvation-deliverance from the guilt and power of sin. The greatest miracle in the Bible is not the parting of the Red Sea, or the raising of Lazarus from the dead-but the conversion of an individual by the power of God so that the person becomes a new creature in Christ Jesus Salvation is the entire process by which God rescues sinful human beings from their bondage to sin, and gives them an overhaul from the inside out. Salvation is accomplished in three tenses-past, present, and future. Those individuals who accept Jesus Christ by faith, and repent of their sins, and take a vow of obedience to Christ in Christian baptism--can say with other believers:

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"We have been saved from the penalty of sin (called justification); we are being saved from the power of sin (called sanctification); we shall be saved from the presence of sin (called glorification)." Justification is our acceptance with God on the basis of Christ's perfect righteousness. Sanctification is the working out of right living in our daily behavior. Glorification is the future perfection to be experienced in the world to come. Justification refers to "the removal of guilt." Sanctification means "a setting apart unto holiness." Glorification speaks of "the final harvest."

Romans 6, The Death of Defeat (It aint gonna reign no more!)

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. (Romans 6:12) In other words, ...do not let sin continue to rule your life. Does this mean that we will never stumble again once we have been saved? Of course not, but now, the dominion of sin is our choice! We never had a choice before we were saved; we were slaves to sin. Now, by insisting that what God says is true; by choosing moment-by-moment to follow, not our feelings or impulses, but rather the Holy Spirits guiding influence, God will align our feelings and desires with our choices! We become like that which we worship!

Romans 7 Law School

Why was the Law given? The Law was given to drive us to a total dependence on the Holy Spirit. The Law cant save; it reveals our need to be saved.

Romans 8 Victory!
If the Bible is like a ring, the book of Romans is the precious stone in the setting, and the eighth of Romans is the sparkle on the stone! An Outline of Romans 8: Deliverance from the flesh by the power of the Holy Spirit (8:1-11) Our adoption as children of God by the Holy Spirits inner witness (8:12-17) Preservation in suffering by the power of the Holy Spirit (8:18-30) Hymn of Praise for victory and assurance of our security (8:31-39) Romans chapter 8 begins with a translation controversy. Heres the first verse in a modern translation: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1, ESV)

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In the King James Version, Romans 8:1 reads like this: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1) Now take a look at the 4th verse of this same chapter: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:4) Most scholars consider this a special type of scribal error called dittography, the accidental repetition of a word, or phrase. These scholars believe that a scribes eye strayed down the page and caught a glimpse the 4th verse, and transcribed the phrase into verse 1 by mistake. Others believe it may have been added intentionally in a misguided attempt to provide a counterargument to those who were criticizing Pauls message as over emphasizing grace. This points out once again that there are no perfect Bible translations. Every one of them has a set of problems. With the Authorized (King James) Version of 1611 however, all the problems have been identified and well documented for many generations of Bible readers. The Certainty of Sanctification: (Romans 8:28-39) This is perhaps the most uplifting passage in all of Holy Scripture. Whenever you are facing difficult circumstances; whenever you may begin to feel doubt or uncertainty come back and read this passage and have faith! Heres how it begins: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) The most important words in this passage are the first three: And we know. Gods goal of sanctification is absolutely certain. Sanctification, from its beginning in regeneration to its completion in glorification, is ultimately Gods work, which the called claim as their own by faith. The Golden Chain: (Romans 8:29-30) In the next two verses, Paul describes a sequence (The Golden Chain): Predestination, Calling, Justification, and Glorification: For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30)

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Our Security in Christ: (Romans 8:38-39) And then in the closing verses of this amazing chapter, Paul offers a magnificent, hope-filled hymn of assurance that our eternal love in Christ is absolutely secure! For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39) Did Paul leave any holes through which we can be separated from the love of God? Not through: Death or Life Angels (including Satan), or Demons The Present, or the Future Powers (including McCain, Obama, or the antichrists) Height, or Depth Anything else in all Creation (which, by the way, includes YOURSELF) I dont see any gaps. Praise the Lord! So this chapter (one of the greatest in all of Holy Scripture) opens with the assurance that there is no possibility of condemnation, and it closes with this assurance that there is no possibility of separation from God! Whenever things get a tough in your life; whenever doubts or confusion creep into your mind; open your Bible and prayerfully read Romans 8. Its the real Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Section 2: Dispensation/Hope, Ch.9-11 (The Israel Trilogy)

Romans 9 - Israel Past Romans 10 - Israel Present Romans 11 - Israel Future Here are some other chapter commonly recognized trilogies in Scripture: Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5, 6, 7 Spiritual Gifts: 1 Corinthians 12, 13, 14 2nd Coming: Zechariah 12, 13, 14 The Historical Dilemma If God is so faithful to His word (as we read in Romans 8) that none can be condemned whom He has justified; and that none can be separated from His love; why then does it appear as though Israel has failed and been rejected by God? God chose Israel. He gave them unconditional promises. Are we to read and marvel at Gods amazing grace in the previous chapters, and then somehow believe He would set all this aside as it concerns His chosen people?

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The Abrahamic Covenant And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (Genesis 12:2-3) From this promise flows Gods plan for all of mankind! (All other covenants have their basis in this one.) It doesnt apply only to Israel. Every benefit you and I have as believers derives from this unconditional covenant. How do we benefit from it? We rely entirely on our derivative benefit from the Root of David, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, our Redeemer (Abraham is the father of all who believe, Romans 4:11). How Long is Israel Blinded? What does all this mean? Even though the Gentiles were not trying to follow Gods standards, they were made right with God. And it was by faith that this took place. But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded. Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him. They stumbled over the great rock in their path. (Romans 9:30-32) This describes the opportunity we Gentiles have been given because of Israels failure.

--- But --Lest you be wise in your own conceits, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. (Romans 11:25)

--- And --Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For Gods gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. (Romans 11:28-29)

Romans Section 3: Practical/Love, Ch. 12-16

Responsibilities from gifts Ch. 12 Civil Responsibilities Ch. 13 Christian Maturity Ch. 14 Unity within the Body Ch. 15 Personal Greetings Ch. 16 In Romans 12, our responsibilities as a result of the gifts God has given us are delineated. Our practical considerations will be profoundly impacted by our world view. At the most basic level, there are only two to choose from: 1) We are an accident of random chance with no accountability, or 2) We are the result of the work of a deliberate and purposeful Creator. a Bible study Session Notes Page 9 of 11

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These, by the way, are mutually exclusive. Even though many feel they have reconciled the two and are comfortable that both are valid, it just doesnt work. As uncomfortable as it is for many to deal with, only one of the above statements is true. And the one you believe will ultimately determine your answers to lifes key questions: Who am I?; Where did I come from?; Where am I going?; To whom am I accountable? In Romans 13, Paul describes our civic responsibilities. In the first 11 chapters of Genesis, God created four all-important Divine Institutions: Personal Volition: Free will, the freedom to choose ones own destiny. Marriage: Gods Mysterious Model of intimacy. Family: Most important building block of society. Human Government: Rom 13:1-7.

Isnt it revealing to notice that these four institutions seem to be the very target of Satans attack today! Romans 14 discusses a Christians Spiritual Maturity Accept those whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person's faith allows them to eat everything, but another person, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted that person. (Romans 14:1-3) Some consider one day more sacred than another; others consider every day alike. Everyone should be fully convinced in their own mind. Those who regard one day as special do so to the Lord. Those who eat meat do so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and those who abstain do so to the Lord and give thanks to God. (Romans 14:5-6) Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. (Colossians 2:16-17) The point here is that the one who is weak in the faith puts certain restrictions on himself, and is oriented to legalistic externals. But Christ has removed us from the ceremonial law. The one who is strong enjoys their full liberty in Christ yet should never treat others with contempt who have not achieved the strength of these convictions. In Romans 15, Paul confirms to us that all the old rules in the Old Testament were anticipatory. They are there by design, and that design will always relate, in some way or another, to their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. (Romans15:4)

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In Chapter 16, Paul writes The Doxology: Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith-- to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Romans 16:25-27) The mystery of the church! Concealed in the Old Testament, Revealed in the New! (c.f., Ephesians 3)

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