The Purpose of Salvation, vv. 1-7
A. To Display God’s Righteousness, v. 3
1. Works righteousness, v. 5, by obeying the Law.
a. No one can keep the Law perfectly.
b. “The soul that sinneth” shall die, see Leviticus 18:5 and Ezekiel 18.
c. Self-righteousness is arrogant ignorance of one’s ability to be righteous before Holy God.
2. Faith righteousness is the gift of God to those who trust His Son.
B. “For Christ is the end of the the Law for righteousness,” v. 4
1. The Greek word telos lends itself to several meanings:
a. termination,
b. fulfillment, or
c. purpose
2. The purpose of the Law is to show man’s inability to be self-righteous before Holy God.
3. The Law has not ended, but continues to define man’s sin.
4. The purpose of Christ is to save “every one that believeth.”
C. Faith righteousness is not accomplished by works (Deuteronomy 30:12-14):
1. Faith righteousness is not in heaven that we have to ascend and bring Christ down, v. 6.
2. Faith righteousness is not deep in the earth that we have to descend to bring Christ up, v. 7.
The Procedure of Salvation, vv. 8-13
A. The Word of Faith
1. Confess that Jesus is Lord
2. Believe God raised Him from death
3. “Thou shalt be saved.”
4. “Call upon the name of the Lord.”
B. Faith righteousness begins in the heart, v. 10.
C. Confession confirms one’s salvation, v. 10.
The Preacher of Salvation, vv. 14-21
A. Salvation begins with preaching the Word of God, v. 14.
B. God sends the preacher to preach the Word of God, v. 15.
C. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God, v. 17.
Conclusion
A. Israel rejected faith righteousness for works righteousness, vv. 2-3, 18-19, Deuteronomy 30:12-14.
B. God saves Gentiles to provoke Israel to faith righteousness, vv. 19-20.
C. God continues to stretch out His hands to Israel in grace.