The Sunday School Lesson The Way To Righteousness by David McGee
Jan 15, 2017
The Way To Righteousness (41:02)
Referenced Scriptures: Romans 1:1-17; Romans 3:1-31
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We live in an era when absolutes are often rejected. It is not uncommon to hear the argument that there are many ways to find spiritual truth. Those who hold to the belief in the One True God, and that there is only one way to have a relationship with Him, are labeled as bigots. This kind of thinking is not new. During the time when the apostle Paul wrote to the Roman church, the idea of multiple gods was common. Various theories and philosophies were proposed to appease the gods and to find union with them. Christians experienced harsh accusations and belittling then, just as they do today.
In this study, Paul's justification for adopting a single means to a relationship with God will be explored. Paul diagnosed the sick condition of the human soul and offered the only prescription that can bring spiritual renewal.
The scriptures below are from the WEB Bible.
Romans 1:1-17
1) Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
2) which he promised before through his prophets in the holy scriptures,
3) concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,
4) who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
5) through whom we received grace and apostleship, to obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name‘s sake.
6) Among whom you are also called to be Jesus Christ‘s.
7) To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
8) First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world.
9) For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my prayers,
10) requesting, if by any means now at length I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you.
11) For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end you may be established;
12) that is, that I with you may be comforted in you, each of us by the other‘s faith, both yours and mine.
13) Now I don‘t desire to have you unaware, brothers, that often I planned to come to you, and was hindered so far, that I might have some fruit in you also, even as in the rest of the Gentiles.
14) I am debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish.
15) So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17) For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith to faith. As it is written, "But the righteous shall live by faith."
Romans 3:1-31
1) Then what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the profit of circumcision?
2) Much in every way! Because first of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.
3) For what if some were without faith? Will their lack of faith make of no effect the faithfulness of God?
4) Certainly not! Yes, let God be found true, but every man a liar. As it is written, "That you might be justified in your words, And might prevail when you come into judgment."
5) But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what will we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? I speak like men do.
6) Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?
7) For if the truth of God through my lie abounded to his glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?
8) Why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), "Let us do evil, that good may come?" Those who say so are justly condemned.
9) What then? Are we better than they? No, in no way. For we previously charged both Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin.
10) As it is written, "There is no one righteous. No, not one.
11) There is no one who understands. There is no one who seeks after God.
12) They have all turned aside. They have together become unprofitable. There is no one who does good, no, not, so much as one."
13) "Their throat is an open tomb. With their tongues they have used deceit." "The poison of vipers is under their lips;"
14) "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."
15) "Their feet are swift to shed blood.
16) Destruction and misery are in their ways.
17) The way of peace, they haven‘t known."
18) "There is no fear of God before their eyes."
19) Now we know that whatever things the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God.
20) Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight. For through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
21) But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets;
22) even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction,
23) for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;
24) being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;
25) whom God set forth to be an atoning sacrifice, through faith, in his blood, to show his righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done before, in the forbearance of God;
26) for the showing of his righteousness at this present time; that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.
27) Where then is the boasting? It is excluded. By what manner of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.
28) We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
29) Or is God the God of Jews only? Isn‘t he the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,
30) if it is so that God is one. He will justify the circumcised by faith, and the uncircumcised through faith.
31) Do we then make the law of no effect through faith? Certainly not! No, we establish the law.
The WEB Bible is provided by Public Domain.