Sometimes, when preaching through the books of the Bible, I’m amazed at how the Lord providentially brings us to texts that fit the season of life we’re in. One time our church was going through a hard season, and we were in 1 Peter. At another time, I was personally battling a particular sin, and the Lord had me preach on it.
This week is Reformation Week, and in God’s providence, we found ourselves in Romans 1:16–17 on Sunday. As I mentioned, Romans 1:17 could be considered the verse that sparked the Protestant Reformation in 1517.
A few years before that, a monk named Martin Luther was wrestling with the righteousness of God. When he read that the gospel reveals God’s righteousness, he was terrified. He knew he could never live up to God’s righteous standard.
But as Luther studied Romans 1:17 more carefully, he began to understand what Paul meant: “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’”
Luther realized that the righteousness God requires is the very righteousness He provides through faith in Jesus Christ. Righteousness isn’t something we achieve through our obedience. It’s something we receive by faith.
That revelation changed everything for Luther. What had once terrified him became the source of his greatest joy. He came to see that the gospel reveals not only God’s holiness and our sinfulness, but also Christ’s perfect righteousness and God’s gracious gift of that righteousness to everyone who believes.
The righteousness God requires is the righteousness He provides through Jesus Christ.
So, this Saturday, as many celebrate Halloween, we as Christians celebrate Reformation Day. It’s the day Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany, requesting a debate on many of the Catholic Church’s practices. His major concern was salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus.
Implication of Sunday’s sermon:
I contend that in the first five chapters of Romans, Paul is primarily answering this question: How is a sinner made right with God? And Romans 1:16–17 introduces his answer. Sinners are made right with God through Jesus Christ, by faith. God declares sinners righteous, not because of what they’ve done, but because of what Christ has done for them.
And this is a truth we need to believe today, tomorrow, and every day.
This is one area where I’m still working to mature and grow. I’m confident that I’m right before God because of Jesus. But sometimes, when I’m going through a difficult trial, struggling with sin, or simply feeling discouraged, I lose sight of that truth. I get caught up in how bad things are or how poorly I’m doing.
One implication of Sunday’s sermon is that our justified standing before God doesn’t rise and fall with our circumstances or spiritual performance. Because of Jesus, we remain righteous in God’s sight, even when life is difficult or we’re struggling with sin.
And believing this changes how we respond to those struggles. Rather than running from God, we run to Him. Rather than trying to earn our way back into His favor, we rest in what Christ has already accomplished for us.
So let me encourage you to try something. The next time anxiety overwhelms you, or you’re convicted of sin, don’t hide from God or try to cover it up. Run to Him. Confess your sin, bring your fears to Him, and remind yourself that your acceptance before God rests in Jesus Christ.
One other comment:
Being made right with God through Jesus will produce obedience. But we’re not made right with God by our obedience.
When God saves us, He doesn’t simply declare us righteous and leave us unchanged. He gives us new hearts, new desires, and His Spirit, who works within us to make us more like Christ.
Sometimes people worry that emphasizing justification by faith will diminish the importance of obedience. But Scripture teaches the opposite. The grace that saves us is also the grace that transforms us.
And that’s why Paul tells us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” because “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12–13).
Our obedience doesn’t earn God’s acceptance. Our obedience flows from the grace we’ve already received in Christ.
Memorize with me:
As we study Romans, I’m picking out key verses to memorize. For the first few sermons, I’m memorizing Romans 1:16-17. I hope you’ll join me. Next, in Romans, I’ll memorize Romans 3:19-20, then 3:21-26.
Looking ahead:
This Sunday, we will study Romans 1:18-23. In this passage, we will see why the world is so crazy.
Cheap Seats:
- I’m watching Game 4…the Brewers are really good.
- English Football (Soccer) has two competitions that cover virtually every level of the game. The top-level teams in the English Premier League can face off against teams with full-time barbers, plumbers, or teachers. One happened today. Read this story: https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/50301787/arsenal-fleetwood-town-carabao-cup-4th-round-dowman-drone
- The Ducks are on the struggle bus, and the Beavers are on an uptick. And about $ 100 million separates them.
Christ is King!
In Christ,
Dave York
