Romans 3 C Boasting

ROMANS 3C, 
BOASTING, ONE, FULFILLING THE LAW
Introduction:   
Paul concludes this chapter with three very vital statements.
Boasting must go.
Jews & Gentiles are all one.
Faith does not destroy the law but fulfill it. 
Let’s look at these vital statements and learn from them.

I.    Boasting must go  vs. 27

A.    The heart of this conversation is to the Jew.
It is interesting that Paul begins this chapter with the question about advantage.
He says that there is an advantage to being a Jew.
He also says that there is value in circumcision.
But in verse 9 he says that we, the Jews, are not at all better than the next guy, especially the Gentile.
In fact he says that none of us are any better.
For all have sinned and all are justified freely, vs. 23,24

B.    But boasting must not be a part of any of our lives.
Where then is boasting?
It is excluded.
It is excluded on the principle that our righteousness is by faith and not by observing the law.
Ephesians 2:8,9

C.    A man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.
Romans 1:17
Galatians 3:11
Hebrews 10:38

II.    Jews & Gentiles are all one  vs. 29, 30

A.    A vital verse to aid this argument.
Deuteronomy 6:4
If there is only one true God then surely he must be the God of the whole world.
He can’t just be the God of the Jews.
He is your God and mine.

B.    How can the one God justify you in a different way than He justifies me?
That would be favoritism.
That would be unbalanced.
The old covenant was distinctively Jews.
Righteousness by faith fits better for all.

C.    Ephesians 4:1-6
 1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

D.    An understanding is needed by American believers.
Sometimes we think that believers everywhere need to be just like us.
Our faith is very Americanized and built around our culture.
Our ideas can throw a little boasting in it for us.  Paul says no.

III.    Faith does not destroy the law. vs. 31
I believe there are three aspects that we can look at here.

A.    The law is fulfilled in that it convicts and condemns the sinner.
If there is no law one would never be a law breaker.
This prepares the way for faith in Christ.

B.    The law is fulfilled in that it points to faith.
The law and the prophets point to faith in Christ.
Chapter 4 begins by telling us that Abraham had faith.
The answer to the sacrifices under the law was Jesus Christ.
What Christ offers is by faith.
The just, righteous will live by faith.

C.    The moral norms of the law are fulfilled by those who walk in faith.
The moral code of the law, the 10 commandments, are not thrown out of the window.
Walking in faith helps us live out those moral codes of the law. 
Conclusion:   
We have learned 3 simple things in the last part of chapter 3.
Boasting must go.
We are one in Christ Jesus.
Our faith helps us live out the life set before us by God.
Let’s put those into practice.