“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:21-26 (Read v. 19-28)

“Keeping the Reformation in Context” sounds like one of those sermon titles someone in a liberal church might write – offering up some new meaning to the Lutheran Reformation that has nothing to do with the truth. But this title has to do, instead, with keeping to the truth brought to light and proclaimed through the Lutheran Reformation and not altering it or changing its meaning. It has to do with taking nothing out of the context of God’s Word but letting Scripture interpret Scripture so that we rightly understand and truly believe the truth revealed to us in God’s Word, the Bible – the same truth proclaimed by Dr. Martin Luther and the Reformers.

The Lutheran Reformation brought emphasis to Scripture alone as the source and judge of all Christian Doctrine (not churches or men); salvation by God’s grace (God’s unmerited favor) alone for the sake of Jesus Christ’s holy life and innocent sufferings and death in the stead of all mankind; and being forgiven, justified and counted righteous by God through faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice upon the cross.

Therefore, it is fitting that we look at the Scriptures behind the chief article of the Christian Faith, justification by faith alone and through grace alone in Christ Jesus, and learn the true Reformation doctrine revealed within the text and context of Scripture.

I say this because there are still many within the outward pale of Christendom today who so emphasize human works and human cooperation with the Holy Spirit that they overthrow the Bible’s doctrine of justification by faith alone in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice. And there are those within the pale of the church today who so emphasize the benefits of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus that they would remove faith from the equation, teaching that God has already freely justified all people – even those who are clearly unbelievers and condemned to hell – apart from faith in Jesus Christ. Today, we look at God’s Word and keep the Reformation in the context of that Word rather than going beyond the truth revealed by God in the Scriptures.

The opening verses of today’s text – especially v. 9ff. which contain quotes from the Old Testament – make clear that “by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (v. 20). We do not and cannot measure up to the demands of God’s perfect law and are far from righteous and acceptable in God’s sight based on our works. As the Bible says, even our best works are “like filthy rags” in His eyes (Isa. 64:6). Indeed, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (v. 23).

How can we sinners be righteous before God? That too is answered in today’s text: “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe” (v. 21).

Notice that this righteousness of God apart from our keeping of the law is “through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.” This also defines the all in verse 23ff.: “For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”

While these verses of the Bible (especially verses 23-24) are often used as proof that God has justified all (including unbelievers), they clearly teach that God justifies sinners who place their faith in Christ Jesus and the redemption He accomplished for all when He shed His blood upon the cross for the sins of the world. God is “just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Believers are “justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus … through faith.” The righteousness of God is “through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.” Cf. Rom. 1:16-17; 4:1ff.; 5:1-2; 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Col. 1:19-23; Psalm 32:1-6; John 3:14ff.; 8:24.

So how are we justified and counted righteous in God’s eyes? Is it by works? No, for our works don’t measure up no matter how hard we try! Is it by God declaring all sinners justified and forgiven apart from faith? No, for the Bible simply doesn’t teach that anywhere and those who seek to defend this error take parts of passages out of their context in an attempt to prove it. Is it by God’s grace alone for Christ’s sake and through God-wrought faith alone in Jesus Christ? Most certainly! As the Scriptures say: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9).

Grant that we hear Your Word, O Christ, and acknowledge our unworthiness and sin and trust, not in our works, but in You alone, Lord Jesus, for pardon, forgiveness, and life everlasting. Amen.

[Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]