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Our Hope of Heaven
(Romans 3:21-31)
We’ve discovered so far that man’s spiritual condition is desperate. He has rejected God’s revelation and plunged headlong into sin. As a result, God's wrath is revealed from heaven. People have given themselves over to idolatry, immorality, and all kinds of unrighteousness. The ungodly and unrighteous stand under divine judgment.
To make matters worse, human righteousness offers no refuge. In reality, people have no righteousness of their own that is acceptable to God. What we call righteousness is nothing more than self-righteousness.
When man stands before God, it will be of no value. Nor can religion save him. Even the rites, rituals, and commands ordained by God cannot shield him from judgment. Scripture itself does not provide a hiding place; instead, it declares all men guilty before God.
Imagine a man standing trial for a crime. As he faces the judge, the prosecuting attorney presents irrefutable evidence—a video recording of him caught in the act. He has no defense, no excuse, no way to plead innocence. That is the condition of every person before God. We are all caught in the act, fully exposed, with no righteousness to cover our guilt and shame. The supposed garments of human righteousness are nothing more than filthy rags. Religion, too, is powerless to shield us; it is an empty shell.
What, then, can man do? Is there any escape? How can anyone stand before God and survive His judgment?
The answer lies in Romans 3:21-31. Years ago, the great Bible teacher Donald Grey Barnhouse called this passage the most important in the entire Bible. Keeping that in mind, let’s examine these verses and discover the hope that God offers.
1. There is a Righteousness from God, Revealed in Scripture
2. The Righteousness from God is Given by Grace through Christ’s Death to Demonstrate God's Justice
Conclusion: The Only Hope of Heaven
Romans 3:21-31 makes three key statements about righteousness:
- The righteousness of God is revealed in the Scriptures.
- This righteousness is by grace, through Christ’s atoning death, demonstrating God’s justice.
- This righteousness excludes boasting, exalts God’s universal reach, and upholds the law.
In other words, God is righteous, the law is upheld, and human boasting is silenced when sinners are justified by faith in Christ, who bore the penalty for sin.
Your only hope of heaven is to receive the righteousness of Christ by faith. Trust in Jesus Christ, who died for your sins. That is the essence of the gospel.
Bonus Q & A
How can I deal with a 'Besetting Sin'.
A besetting sin is a persistent, recurring sin that a believer struggles with repeatedly. The Bible acknowledges that Christians will face ongoing battles with sin, but it also provides guidance on how to confront and overcome them.
1. Acknowledge the Struggle (Romans 7:15-25)
2. Rely on God's Power, Not Your Own (Romans 8:1-2)
3. Confess and Seek Forgiveness (1 John 1:9)
4. Renew Your Mind (Romans 12:2)
5. Flee Temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13)
6. Walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-17)
7. Use Christian Commun
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