22-0410p - Detailed Summary

After concluding the scripture reading, the speaker introduces the topic of righteousness for the evening’s class on Romans. They mention that previous class materials from 2018 are available online, though they only cover up to chapter 11 of Romans and are a review rather than the actual class sessions.

The speaker reflects on a morning session where they reviewed the Book of Hebrews, which they’ve been studying for a year, specifically mentioning they finished chapter 11 in class and chapter 10 in the sermon. They acknowledge that some parts of Hebrews were skimmed due to time constraints but hope the audience gained something from it. The choice of righteousness as a topic stems from a mention in Hebrews chapter 5.

They provide context from Hebrews, particularly chapter 5, where the writer criticizes the audience for only knowing elementary teachings and not progressing to understand deeper concepts like righteousness. This is linked to the audience’s spiritual immaturity and inability to handle solid food, metaphorically speaking.

The speaker elaborates on why righteousness is crucial among various Christian teachings. They note that while faith is fundamental, understanding righteousness signifies spiritual maturity, contrasting infants (milk drinkers) with those who should be teachers but remain unacquainted with righteousness.

Righteousness is equated with salvation, with historical figures like Abel, Noah, and Abraham described as righteous. The speaker emphasizes that God, not humans, declares who is righteous, and this declaration is tied to faith, as seen in the example of Abel’s witness in Hebrews 11.

Discussing righteousness from a legal perspective, the speaker explains its connection to law, contrasting it with wickedness. They delve into how Paul, in Romans, links righteousness to the gospel, which isn’t just about how to become a Christian but reveals God’s righteousness through faith, as stated in Romans 1:16-17.

The speaker explores the paradox where Gentiles, not seeking righteousness through law, attain it by faith, while Jews, who pursued it through the law, did not. This discussion is framed around the idea from Romans 9 where Paul describes the Gentiles' unexpected attainment of righteousness as opposed to the Jews' failure due to reliance on works rather than faith.

Finally, they discuss how both Jews and Gentiles are under sin, quoting from Romans 3 to assert that no one is righteous, all have turned away, and all have sinned, emphasizing the universal need for righteousness through faith rather than through adherence to the law.

The speaker explains that according to Romans 3:19-20, the law silences every mouth and holds the whole world accountable to God. This accountability extends beyond just the Law of Moses to any form of law.

Paul’s references to the law in Romans are not limited to the Mosaic Law but apply to any legalistic approach to righteousness. The speaker suggests that if one follows any law to achieve righteousness, such as through acts like baptism or confession, they might be adopting a works-based mindset.

The speaker critiques a legalistic view of salvation, exemplified by checking off acts like baptism or repentance as if they were legal requirements. They humorously question the necessity of complete immersion in baptism, suggesting that a legalistic interpretation might exclude someone from heaven over minor details.

They ponder whether God would want to spend eternity with someone who behaves like a lawyer, constantly arguing over legalities. The point is made that true repentance involves a sincere, contrite heart, not just checking off a list of actions.

The speaker clarifies the distinction between justification and righteousness, citing Romans 3:20 and 3:28. Justification comes through faith apart from works of the law, whereas righteousness is being right with God and His law.

Being declared righteous by God, like Abel, Noah, and Abraham, means one is justified, or in right standing with God’s law. This righteousness is not earned by works but is a gift from God.

Referencing Romans 4:1-3 and 3:21-22, the speaker explains that righteousness comes through faith, not through human effort or law-keeping. Abraham’s belief was credited to him as righteousness, demonstrating that this is God’s righteousness given to believers.

The speaker emphasizes that even sinners like Abraham, Abel, and Noah were declared righteous by God. This righteousness is not based on sinlessness but on faith and God’s grace, which covers human imperfection.

Despite their flaws, biblical figures like Noah are shown as righteous through faith and obedience. This illustrates that righteousness is a process where God considers believers righteous even as they are being sanctified.

The speaker further elaborates with Romans 4:5-6, explaining that faith, not works, is credited as righteousness. They cite David from Psalms to illustrate that blessed are those whose sins are forgiven, highlighting the ongoing nature of this forgiveness for Christians.

Abraham’s righteousness was not through the law (which came later) but through faith. The speaker explains that the law can bring wrath, but where there is no law, there is no transgression, suggesting that faith transcends legal obligations.

Using the example of Adam and Eve, the speaker discusses how even with one law, they transgressed, leading to sin and death. They contrast this with the idea that in the absence of law, certain actions might not constitute sin, emphasizing that faith in God’s righteousness is key, not adherence to law alone.

The speaker discusses Romans 5:12-13, explaining that sin existed before the law of Moses but was not formally charged without law. The law was given to increase the awareness of sin, making transgressions more explicit, thus sin could be charged against one’s account.

In Romans 6, the speaker addresses the rhetorical question of continuing in sin that grace may abound, emphasizing that through baptism, believers die to sin. This death is symbolic, mirroring Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, allowing believers to live a new life free from sin’s dominion.

The concept of being dead to sin is further explored, where through symbolic death in baptism, one is no longer under the law’s condemnation because, in a legal sense, the law applies only to the living. Therefore, being "dead" frees one from sin’s power and the law’s demands.

The speaker clarifies that it is through faith in Jesus' actual death, burial, and resurrection that believers receive God’s righteousness. This act of Christ was a one-time event sufficient to free humanity from the law’s curse, crediting believers with Christ’s righteousness when they partake in this symbolic act of faith.

Justification is explained as being freely given by God’s grace through Christ’s redemption. This righteousness is accessible to all who believe, regardless of being Jew or Gentile, as all have sinned but are justified through faith in Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice.

The speaker transitions to discuss living by the Spirit from Galatians, stating that those led by the Spirit are not under the law. Here, the fruits of the Spirit are listed, which are not against the law, suggesting a life of freedom from legalistic condemnation.

Finally, Romans 8 is cited to highlight that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. The law of the Spirit of life liberates from the law of sin and death, fulfilling the righteous requirement of the law through Christ’s work, enabling believers to walk according to the Spirit, not the flesh.

The speaker concludes with an invitation for prayer or any need for public acknowledgment before the church, leading into a closing prayer.