Romans 3:25-31

The Righteousness of God

In Romans chapter three, Paul speaks of the righteousness of God. This is a great matter! Nothing is more solid and steadfas= t than the righteousness of God. The foundation of God’s throne is righteousness (Psa= . 89:14). The base and foundati= on of God’s complete salvation is also His righteousness. God’s righteousness involves= His justice, His judgments, and the way of His acts. God is righteous in all His ways, = in all His acts, and in all His doings (Psa. 103:6, 7)= . Therefore, when Paul speaks of the righteousness of God, he is very careful, detailed, and thorough.

Justification

Justification is God’s action to approve us according to His standard of righteousness. God’s st= andard of righteousness is through the faith of Jesus Christ based on the redempti= on in Christ. For God to justify= us was not a simple matter. This involved redemption, propitiation, and reconciliation.

Redemption

Footnote 24-3, Re= covery Version: “To redeem is = to purchase back at a cost. We originally belonged to God but became lost through sin. The requirements of God’s holiness, righteousness, and glory were so great upon us that it was imposs= ible for us to fulfill them. Howev= er, God paid the price for us through Christ, repossessing us at a tremendous cost. Christ died on the cros= s to redeem us; His blood obtained eternal redemption for us.”<= /span>

Propitiation

Propitiation impl= ies there is a problem between two people.&nbs= p; The problem could be due to some offense or maybe due to a debt that= is owed. This offense or debt be= comes a demand that has to be cleared up before the problem can be resolved. Propitiation is needed to restore = the relationship between these two people.&nbs= p; Something must happen to satisfy the demand and appease the situation. <= /o:p>

Reconciliation

Reconciliation is needed between two people that are enemies against one another. Reconciliation includes propitiati= on and goes even farther. Not only i= s the demand met and the problem resolved, but through reconciliation, harmony is brought in between two people who used to be enemies.

The Scene in the Holy of Holies <= o:p>

In Romans 3:23, P= aul mentions the glory of God and in verse 25 he mentions the propitiation place. This refers to the sce= ne in the Holy of Holies within the tabernacle (Exo. 25:17-22). <= /o:p>

In the Holy of Ho= lies was the Ark containing the Testimony of God (the law). The law of God testifies that God = is holy and righteous. On top of= the Ark was a lid ca= lled the expiatory cover or mercy seat. Fashioned on top of this lid were = two cherubim with outstretched wings touching one another.<= /span> The cherubim signify God’s g= lory (Heb. 9:5). Becau= se of sin, there is a big separation between man and God bringing us under the de= mand of God’s holiness, righteousness, and glory. Christ made propitiation for our s= ins (Heb. 2:17) by becoming the propitiatory sacrifice (I John 2:2) to die as t= he sinless, spotless Lamb of God. His death paid all the righteous requirements of God that were upon us. His shed blood accomplished an ete= rnal redemption for us (Heb. 9:12)! Christ is also the place of propitiation. It is in Christ that God fully jus= tifies us and we can meet and fellowship with God without any contradiction to His holiness, righteousness, and glory! =