Romans 3 (CEB)
21 But now God’s righteousness has been revealed apart from the Law, which is confirmed by the Law and the Prophets. 22 God’s righteousness comes through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who have faith in him. There’s no distinction. 23 All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, 24 but all are treated as righteous freely by his grace because of a ransom that was paid by Christ Jesus. 25 Through his faithfulness, God displayed Jesus as the place of sacrifice where mercy is found by means of his blood. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness in passing over sins that happened before, 26 during the time of God’s patient tolerance. He also did this to demonstrate that he is righteous in the present time, and to treat the one who has faith in Jesus as righteous.
27 What happens to our bragging? It’s thrown out. With which law? With what we have accomplished under the Law? 28 No, not at all, but through the law of faith. We consider that a person is treated as righteous by faith, apart from what is accomplished under the Law.
God’s righteousness is revealed in the faithful commitment to wholeness.
Here are some questions for discussion:
1. God willingly loves us through all of our sins, despite our propensity and capacity to sin. God faithfully loves us through it all and asks that we love our brothers and sisters with the same faithfulness and commitment to their whole. What road blocks or obstacles do we place in our path to doing this?
2. Paul uses the word “redemption” to describe what Jesus has done for us (verse 24). Redemption isn’t just being released from guilt—it’s being restored to our full value, made whole. What have you believed about yourself that needed redeeming? Where in your life have you settled for being forgiven but not healed?
3. What are some modern day “laws” or behaviors people rely on to feel righteous? How do Paul’s teachings push back against those tendencies?
If you’d like to dig a little deeper, consider the following:
1. When we embrace the idea of Christian Nationalism we are embracing laws for all people based on our specific faith. In what way does this stand between our most vulnerable and their loving Father?
2. Why do we all struggle so much with the expectations we set for our own artistry when our Loving Father graciously waits to tell us “well done” for Intention rather than the production?
3. Paul breaks the link between earning and being made right. How do we practice a faith that refuses to reward performance but still invites transformation?
For further contemplation, consider these quotes & prompts:
1. “The law does not begin with a list of do’s and don’ts.” In our struggling society today we find a strong move toward legislation based on faith but does the embracing of a legalistic approach to God’s laws help us in our struggles with sin or hinder us?
2. “Our value is not determined by how faithfully we can follow the rules.” Why is it that we can know this to be true but still struggle with this?
3. Verse 23 says, “All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory” Do you find that verse comforting or confronting? What does it say about human equality?
4. “Where does bragging fit in?”, asks Paul. Think about that in the context of social media, platform, or churches and Christians that boast. What does authentic humility look like in a world build on performance and image?