Conclusion: Justified by Faith

Romans 3:27–31 (NKJV) ²⁷Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. ²⁸Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. ²⁹Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, ³⁰since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. ³¹Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.

Paul has just finished explaining that we are justified by faith in Christ Jesus by whom we are redeemed.  He finally brings his argument to a conclusion.

As sinful individuals we have nothing about which to boast.  It was not the law that justified us. It was not our works that justified us.  It is faith that justifies, faith in the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ.  It makes no difference whether we are a Jew or a gentile.  There is no justification that is being declared righteous, through any keeping of the law.  We because of our sin cannot be good enough.  Whether one is religious or not religious they cannot attain to God’s righteousness.  The only way to get the righteousness of God is through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, who paid the penalty of sin and death by shedding his blood upon the cross. 

Some of the Jews would want to argue with Paul that their father Abraham was justified by works but Paul will put this idea to rest in the coming chapter for it is “to him who does not work but believes on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.” (Rom. 4:5)

Let me therefore challenge you, if you through your good works or deeds hope to satisfy a holy God you are wasting your time.  The law reveals your unrighteousness and you cannot be good enough to attain to God’s holiness.  Yet God provided Jesus Christ as a way of redemption. Confess your sin and turn from your prideful ways and look to Jesus Christ believing that He alone is able to pay the penalty of your sin through His blood that was shed on Calvary, for it is through this faith and only through this faith that you can be justified and ‘declared righteous’ before our Holy God.