September 29, 2023 - Romans 2-4

Paul places both Jews and Gentiles in the same boat. Consider that he writes that on the coming day, “According to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus” (2:16). He writes not “Jews” or “Gentiles” but “men,” that is all men.

Paul continues: “For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God” (2:28-3:1). That is, it’s not according to biological birth or race that we are saved but according to the heart (that is, faith). Paul confirms this truth by writing, “God is one-- who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith” (3:30).

Helping us by giving us an illustration, Paul tells us that even Abraham, the father of the Jews was not saved by virtue of his biological birth or race but by faith: “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness” (4:3).

And as if to wrap all this up, Paul gives us the wonderful news: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin” (4:7-8). These who are blessed are not identified by birth or race but by the fact that they have been forgiven through faith. Can’t help but recall the words of David: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases . . . as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:2,3,2). God’s grace, his forgiveness reaches all, regardless of birth or race.

There is welcome for the sinner,

and more graces for the good.

There is mercy with the Savior,

there is healing in his blood.

For the love of God is broader

than the measures of the mind,

and the heart of the Eternal

is most wonderfully kind. --Frederick William Faber (1862)