Have Faith In Jesus: NOT YOUR Works! (Part B-1 Romans 3:26-28)

[Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks, PsyD]

Part B-1 – Romans 3:26-28 – I will give my commentary, as Holy Spirit gives it to me; if there is no commentary on the Scriptures below, ask Holy Spirit and He will give you the interpretation of the Scriptures. As you study each verse of Scripture, don’t just rush through the verse; ponder on it and allow the Word to get into your heart – again, asking Holy Spirit for the interpretation. Even on the verses where there are commentaries, ask Holy Spirit for YOUR interpretation; we can read the Scripture and God will show us more sometimes, than when we first read it.

Scripture: Romans 3:26 – “It was to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the One who justifies those who have faith in Jesus [and rely confidently on Him as Savior].”

Scripture: Romans 3:27 – “Then what becomes of [our] boasting? It is excluded [entirely ruled out, banished]. On what principle? On [the principle of good] works? No, but on the principle of faith.”

My Commentary – Since verse 26 clearly lets us know that we are justified (“declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life” vs 24), when we have faith in Jesus “and rely confidently on Him as Savior,” what right do we have to boast (vs 27)? We have NO right to boast; we did NOTHING! If it was not for God’s grace and Jesus willing to lay His life down for us, we would we be lost for all eternity! Again, it is because of God’s grace, that we are saved, through faith in Jesus’ FINISHED work, not our work (Ephesians 2:8-10). Our boasting is “entirely ruled out, banished” because we are not justified (“declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life” vs 24) by our own works, but by faith in Jesus! It is might seem I am repeating myself but I want this Word to sink deep into your spirit man; I want you to know, that you know, that you know, EVERYTHING good that happens to you, is because of God’s grace and NOT YOUR works! God’s grace is undeserving; we didn’t do anything to earn God’s grace. As we saw in verse 24, grace is “His favor and mercy, extended to man who can do nothing to be worthy of it. It is God’s amazing gift” (footnote at biblegateway.com).

Scripture: Romans 3:28 – “For we maintain that an individual is justified by faith distinctly apart from works of the Law [the observance of which has nothing to do with justification, that is, being declared free of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God].

My Commentary – WOW! WOW! WOW! This verse is VERY plain! Our justification (“declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life” vs 24) by faith, is distinctly apart from the works of the Law; observing the Law has NOTHING to do with justification, which is being declared free of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God – this gives us right to eternal life. Do you see now, how you are justified? The works of the Law [observing them], CANNOT and DOES NOT, declare us free from the guilt of sin and make us acceptable to God, ONLY faith in Jesus can – faith in God’s grace for us, through Jesus’ redemption of us!

Jesus HAS redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us and they hanged (crucified) Him on a tree (cross) (Galatians 3:13; Deuteronomy 21:23). Christ came to fulfill ALL parts of the Law and He did just that! Remember what verse 20 said? Here it is again: “For no person[a] will be justified [freed of guilt and declared righteous] in His sight by [trying to do] the works of the Law. For through the Law we become conscious of sin [and the recognition of sin directs us toward repentance, but provides no remedy for sin].” It clearly tells us, no person (flesh) will be justified by doing the works of the Law; no person could ever redeem us from the curse of the Law because all have sinned and continually falls short of God’s glory. Man did not qualify back in the day of Moses and does not qualify now. Jesus paid our sin debt over 2000 years ago, which was death (Romans 4:25; Romans 5:12; Romans 10:9), and that debt cancellation, is still in effect today, for ALL who choose to believe in His finished work; Colossians 2:6-15 lets us know this! YOUR sin debt is canceled! Believe what Jesus HAS DONE for YOU, and live!

Click here for PDF version of Part B-1 Romans 3:26-28

Click here for PDF version of Parts A-1 & A-2 Romans 3:19-25

God bless you all and keep you all, in His perfect peace!

Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks