We Are Not Saved Because of Our Righteous Works

MAIN TEXT: ROMANS 3:9-31

HIGHLIGHT VERSE: EPHESIANS 2:8-9
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (NIV)

TOPIC POINTS:

Righteous Works Do Not Bring Salvation – Romans 3:9-20
We Are Saved by Grace – Romans 3:21-24
Through Faith in Jesus Christ – Romans 3:25-31

INTRODUCTION:

Many have heard the word ‘salvation’ but are confused about what it means. In the Christian faith, salvation means deliverance from sin and its consequence.

Some are confused about how to obtain it; they believe they will be saved by doing righteous deeds, being good to people, etc. Others believe their good deeds will be weighed against their bad deeds after death to determine if they will be saved.

In Christian belief, salvation is something we obtain on earth, not after death. Therefore, everyone must know whether he/she is saved or not.

RIGHTEOUS WORKS DO NOT BRING SALVATION

– ROMANS 3:9-20, ISAIAH 64:6, JOB 15:14-16, ACTS 10:1-48

Since many believe that their righteous deeds will save them, they do all kinds of good. They build orphanages, feed the poor and help others in many ways.

Acts 10 tells us that Cornelius, a Gentile army officer, along with his family was devout and God-fearing. He is the kind of person some would see today and grant him an automatic ticket to heaven. God, knowing that mere righteous acts do not save anyone, sent Peter to preach the gospel to him.

This is what Paul explains in his letter to the Romans concerning the common predicament of all humans whether Jew or Gentile. We are all sinners in the eyes of God, even our righteous acts are filthy rags.

WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE

– ROMANS 3:21-24, EPHESIANS 2:8-9, TITUS 3:3-7, ISAIAH 53:3-9

Salvation is by grace. This means we do not do anything to earn salvation. Grace is receiving a good thing that you did not deserve. We all sinned and fell short of God’s glory. The only reason we are saved is God’s merciful grace in justifying us. Salvation is a free gift from God through Jesus Christ.

Isaiah prophesies about the suffering and death of Jesus on our behalf to ensure our salvation. He endured the suffering that should have been ours, he carried our pain and sorrow, he was beaten and wounded for our sins, God made all the punishment we deserved to fall on him, he was killed for our iniquities, we are healed and now have peace because of his bearing all these on our behalf.

THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST

– ROMANS 3:25-31, ROMANS 4:1-5, 13-16

Many find it difficult to accept that salvation is free and without human effort so they seek security in their own works. This is where faith comes in, because faith is the vehicle that carries us from beginning to end (Romans 1:17). We believe in the pioneer and perfecter of faith, Jesus, in whom our salvation is secured.

Jesus died a death he did not deserve for your sake, you receive an eternal life that you do not deserve for his sake. On the cross God looks at the sinless Jesus and sees your sins, he looks at sinful you and sees the righteousness of Jesus. This is what theologians call ‘the Great Exchange.’

CONCLUSION:

If salvation were by works, no one will be justified (Galatians 2:15-16). God in his mercy poured out the grace that saves us through Jesus Christ. This is cause for great joy and eternal praise to God.

Salvation is the most precious thing we have in this world. If God is able to give that to us freely, what else will he not give? (Romans 8:32)

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Give a summary of our main text
Recite our highlight verse
What do Christians mean by salvation?
Is salvation obtained in this life or the next?
What are some ways people try to earn salvation?
We are saved because of our righteousness, true or false?
What does the account of Cornelius teach us about salvation?
On what basis are we saved?
Salvation is a free gift of God, true or false?
How is God able to give us this free gift without impugning his holiness?
What role does Jesus play in our salvation?
What is the vehicle that carries us from beginning to end of our salvation?
What is the Great Exchange?
Apart from faith in Christ, can someone be justified by his/her righteous works?
What must we do to the one who saved us by grace?