Not Guilty by Association

Romans 3:19-26; 4:1-3; 5:1-2
Related Sunday School Lesson, Family Bible Series, June 12

In the legal world it is possible to be guilty of a crime by being associated with someone while the crime is being committed. In Christianity it is possible to be declared not guilty through one's association with Christ.

Through a relationship with Christ man can experience forgiveness and live life without guilt before God and guilt feelings in his heart. He becomes not guilty on the basis of his association with Christ.

Our guilt revealed, Romans 3:19-20

Everyone stands in need of the forgiveness that is provided in Christ because everyone stands guilty of sin before God. Romans 1:18-3:20 describes the guilt of all humanity before God. Romans 3:9-20 forms the conclusion of that description. There we read that both Jew and Gentile are all under sin (3:9), that there is none righteous (3:10) and that there is none who do what is good (3:12).

While our postmodern culture tends to reject moral absolutes and personal guilt, the Bible is clear that everyone stands guilty before God. Paul paints a vivid picture telling us that through the law every mouth is stopped and the entire world stands guilty before God (3:19, 20). It is easy to picture someone arguing that he is not a sinner only to have his speech stopped as his guilt is revealed by the law of God. Paul also explains that the law can never bring salvation. It only brings the knowledge of sin.

God's Righteousness Revealed, Romans 3:21-26

Beginning with Romans 3:21 the subject changes from the guilt of man to the righteousness of God and describes how sinful man can experience the righteousness of God through Christ. This is the subject of Romans 3:21-5:21.

Romans 3:21-26 forms the introduction to this theme and provides a summary of justification by faith. Three words from different settings are used to develop a picture of how the righteousness of God is made available to man.

Justification is the first word that Paul uses to explain the righteousness that man receives by faith. This is a legal term. If a person was brought before a judge in that day the judge could declare that person to be guilty or not guilty. To be justified is to be not guilty or without guilt.

In the court system a person is declared guilty or justified based on their actions. The justification that is described in the Bible is not based on the merits of man but is received through the grace of God (3:24).

The means of man's justification is found in the second key term used by Paul in this description of righteousness. This word, redemption, is taken from the marketplace. In New Testament days a slave could be redeemed from the bondage of slavery. The person who redeemed the slave would pay the established price and then freely release the slave. Therefore, redemption denotes a release from bondage through the payment of a price.

Christ has redeemed man from the penalty and power of sin through his death on the cross. The price that was paid for our redemption was the precious blood of Christ (1 Pet.1:18-19).

The third word used by Paul in his description of the righteousness of God that is offered to man is propitiation (Rom. 3:25). The Greek word translated "propitiation" is used only here and in Hebrews 9:5 where it is translated "mercy seat."

The word was used in the religious world to describe sacrifices that were offered to appease the wrath of the gods. Jesus was the sacrifice that appeased the just wrath of a holy God and removed the penalty of sin from those who place their faith in Christ. The sacrifice of Jesus makes it possible for God to be just and yet justify the guilty sinner who believes in Christ (3:26).

Justified by Faith, Romans 4:1-3

How can sinful man receive the righteousness of God? This righteousness is not received through the law (3:28) nor is it received through human works (4:2). The righteousness of God is received by faith. Abraham was counted righteous in the sight of God in response to him believing God (4:3; Gen.15:6).

Abraham is used as an example of justification by faith because of his prominent standing in both the Old and New Testaments. Abraham was called the friend of God (James 2:23) and was blessed of God in tremendous ways. He was counted righteous in the sight of God through faith just as all men can become righteous in the sight of God through faith (3:30).

Results of Justification Romans 5:1-2

Justification by faith produces tremendous blessings in the life of the Christian. The first blessing of being justified by faith is peace with God. All sin is fully and freely forgiven when one comes to faith in Christ (Ps. 103:12). The forgiven sinner now stands before God without guilt and is at peace with God.

Being justified by faith, the Christian permanently stands in the grace, or good favor, of God. The Christian lives with the smile of God's favor upon his life. This peace and grace are present experiences of the Christian.

There is also a future hope of sharing in the glory of God (Col. 3:4). Hope in the Bible does not denote a mere wish, but describes a certain expectation. This expectation produces joy in the life of the Christian. This is a joy that endures even in the trials of life (5:3). The Christian is not guilty because of his association with Christ. This makes a tremendous difference in this life as well as eternity.