What is the one unifying solution to our sin and guilt problem with God? Faith. That’s it? There’s got to be more to it than that, right? Not if you’re a Jew or a Gentile. ◊

If you were a Jewish or Gentile (non-Jewish) person living in and around Rome in the middle of the 1st century AD, and you came across the writings or public orations of the Apostle Paul, you would be in for quite a cultural shock regarding this New Way religion, or Christianity.

Recall that Jesus Christ was killed and resurrected about 25 years earlier in Jerusalem and his devoted followers have grown in great numbers around the middle east and Roman Empire. Early in this Letter to the Christian Church at Rome, Paul is highlighting all of mankind’s need for salvation (Chapter 1) due to all of mankind’s guilt (Chapter 2).¹

While Gentiles grappled with their understanding of sin and separation from God’s holy ways, the Jews needed to deal with the fact that they were guilty and sinful as well. They were learning that they really hadn’t kept true to their own Jewish Law and so would be judged as guilty despite their privileged religious heritage.

Fortunately, after a well-crafted setup in Romans Chapters 1 and 2, Paul brings the fix or solution to mankind’s sinful plight in Chapter 3.

The answer is Faith.

Paul’s Logical Reasoning
Before Paul lays out the answer, he takes his listeners/readers through a reasoned explanation of logical deductions and conclusions that fall short. First of all, if one is a Jew, what’s the advantage?

What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.

What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.” (Romans 3:1-4)

Although Jews were advantaged by being handed directly God’s precepts and laws, they disobeyed. David is quoted above in his desperate cry for forgiveness in Psalm 51:4. Then Paul posits and rejects the thought that God is unjust, as well as the dubious argument that perhaps it’s good to sin as it then can show God’s’ goodness and glory.

But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just! (Romans 3:5-8)

So Paul concludes that actually no one is righteous and there is no real advantage to being a Jew. In fact, all mankind is sinful! Paul lays out a series of Old Testament references that would hit home for Jews:

What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. As it is written:

Paul summarizes that it’s clear that the law holds the whole world accountable to God. In fact, the law actually makes us all very conscious of our sinfulness. Think of it this way, if an open country road didn’t have a sign posting the speed limit, how would one know they were exceeding the legal speed limit?

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. (Romans 3:19-21)

The Answer is Righteousness Only Through Faith
There is no solution to our guilt problem with God but simply faith in Jesus Christ. Simple as that.

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:21-24)

Christ is God’s solution – the ultimate sacrifice of atonement, through perfect blood, satisfying God’s judgment. We receive this grace and forgiveness through our faith and belief in what was accomplished.

God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:25-26)

So is it something we deserve? No. Is it something we earned? No. We are wholly justified before God by faith, apart from any works or actions of the law or otherwise. It’s all a gift from God.

Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law. (Romans 3: 27-31)

So God is God of Jews and Gentiles?
Absolutely, yes. Both are justified merely by faith. Are there any other proof points for this profound upending of the whole Old Testament law?

Yes, so noted in Romans Chapter 4.

Do you believe and have faith in Jesus as God’s acceptable atonement for our sins?
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This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. – Romans 3:22-24

¹ Note: The Roman Catholic Church was not established until 590 AD. Paul is addressing the early Christ-followers who were trying to differentiate the differences between traditional Judaism and this new Christian teaching.

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Tags: faith, guilt, judgment, Romans, Romans 3