“A Righteousness Revealed in Justification"
Romans 3:21-31

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. [Romans 3:21-22]

“By the words but now Paul introduced a sharp contrast with what preceded.” [Bible Knowledge Commentary]

In preceding chapters Paul demonstrated condemnation, “there is none righteous, no, not one” [Rom 3:10].  The Unrighteous Pagans who “suppress the truth in unrighteousness” [vv.1:18-32] are condemned; the Morally Righteous [vv.2:1-16] are condemned, and the Religious Jews who have the Law [vv.2:17-29] are condemned.  In summary, all are condemned.  God’s perfect righteousness is revealed in the condemnation of [and separation from] the unrighteous.  It only makes sense; God’s perfect righteousness is authenticated in the separation from sin.  If God wasn’t separate, He wouldn’t be holy.

“But now the righteousness of God apart from law is revealed…through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.”  What does that mean?  It means that Jesus is our righteousness before God.  It means that on the Cross of Calvary our unrighteous sins were imputed to Jesus and in exchange His righteous life imputed to us.  It is a great exchange indeed!

“The solution was the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God’s incarnate Son, and the acceptance by faith of that provision by individual sinners.  Christ’s death vindicated God’s own righteousness (He is just because sin was “paid for”) and enables God to declare every believing sinner righteous.” [Bible Knowledge Commentary]

This is the wonderful doctrine of Justification.  And it truly is a great exchange.  Jesus who lived a sinless life was one with Father God.  We who live sinful lives are separate [condemned] from Father God.  

Therefore, in Justification a great exchange is transacted.  All who believe on Jesus and His work of redemption on the Cross are imputed His righteous standing before God.  

But firstly, our sins were imputed to Him, and then He died, because the wages of sin is death.  Jesus died our death for our sins so that we might become the righteousness of God.  It is a great exchange!  Our part is to by faith believe.

Oh, the glory of Justification!  It will be our topic over the coming weeks.