Reading for August 6th

 Read Romans 3.21-31. In verses 21-26: Experiencing God's righteousness through Christ. In verse 21: The righteousness of God: God's integrity and ability to set things right. Verses 22, 26: To have faith in Jesus Christ means Christ is the object of faith: Believers regard him as God's agent or redemption (v. 24). To have the faith of Jesus means Christ is the example of faith: His fidelity reveals God's integrity and displays the type of faith for which believers should strive (Gal 216, 20; 3.20). In verses 27-31: Faith and law. In verse 27: Boasting putting confidence inhuman achievement instead of divine power (1 Cor 1.29, 31). In verse 28: Those verses compactly summarizes Paul's position (Gal 2.16). In verses 28-30: Two waves of being religious, or relating to God, are contrasted: Through works of the law (of Moses) and the law (principle) of faith. Paul insists that Jews (the circumcised) of gentiles (uncircumcised) relate to God the same way: Through ... faith (v. 30). In verse 31: Overthrow the law probably expresses the view of Paul's critics. His claim to uphold the law is developed in ch. 4. Comments or Questions..