Righteousness, propitiation and redemption run like precious metal veins through the bedrock of scripture like gold, silver and blood. In Romans chapter 3 we see the two distinct forms of righteousness, with the law and wothout the law. The law of the leper in Leviticus chapter 13 and 14 establishes the point that the law is diagnostic and not therapeutic. There is no salvation in the law. In Romans chapter 3 we examine the claims of limited atonement and the all sufficient provision in the work of Jesus Christ. 

Dr J Stewart Gillespie

The most awful place for a Christian to be is to doubt the faithfulness and righhteousness of God. It is here that the fall began in Eden with Adam and Eve, it is at this place the despair of the two on the road to Emmaus began and it is at this place we find Elijah in Horeb in 1 Kings chapter 19. The righteousness of God in Romans chapter 3 verse 21 has 2 sides, 2 faces. The righteousness by the law condemns, as it did in Leviticus chapter 13, identifying and rejecting the leper. It took the work of Jesus Christ in atonement and propitiation to bring cleansing of sin and justification. God's righteousness is a righteousness which can either judge or justify. 

Dr J Stewart Gillespie

Romans chapter 3 verse 25 is arguably the most critically important verse in Romans to grasp and understand. The work of Jesus in saving the sinner is presented in terms of the Old Testament picture or type of the mercy seat on top of the ark of the covenant and of the work of the day of Yom Kippur, the day of Atonement. On the the day of Atonement a double sacrifice was offered, the burnt offering or ascending offering of Leviticus chapter 1 and the Sin Offering. A two fold offering pictured a two fold work of Jesus in His atoning death. Jesus both provides for expiation and the removal of sin and guilt as well as justification, the imputation of righteousness. Here is a full salvation bringing us to the mercy seat and the place of union and communion with God. 

Dr J Stewart Gillespie

Chapters 1, 2 and 3 of Romans sets out man's sin and failure. We are tested against the first and great commandment to love the Lord our God with our heart soul and mind and we fail. We are tested in Romans chapter 2 against the 10 commandments, the law of God and we fail. We are tested against the 14 fold character of Jesus in chapter 3 and we fall and fail. In making this discovery of our own sin and need we make an even greater discovery! We discover the greatest and glory of Jesus. As much as I have fallen short of the Glory of God, God is able to restore that Glory, righteousness and image of Christ in me by His Holy Spirit. Justification by faith is the beginning of the rest of the Christian life. Dr J Stewart Gillespie

Romans chapter 3 verse 23 is an unlikely conclusion to the first 3 chapters of Romans. Does this verse tell us why we cannot enter heaven? The broken 10 commandments have already proven that we are sinners. "For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God" points to the truths that as fallen men and women we have lost more than ever realised and in Christ we stand to gain more that we can ever imagine.

Dr J Stewart Gillespie

Lies from the lips of Lucifer echo today from Eden from the throat, tongue, lips and voice of fallen men. It was Satan's master plan to convince Adam that sin was in his best interests and that over sin, Adam would become th master. The relationship between man and sin is in reality the very opposite! We are under sin (Romans 3:9); sin becomes our master, only in Christ can we be set free. Dr J Stewart Gillespie

The total depravity of man touches each part of the person; what we think, what we say and what we do. God's verdict; "there is none righteous no not one." In Romans chapter 3 Paul unpacks this statement examining the human mind, mouth, motive and misery of his life. The unprofitable life begins with a failure to understand God. Here is the picture of humanity who refuses to be subject to the word of God, the will of God and the ways of God. Dr J Stewart Gillespie

The religious sinner of Romans chapter 3 asks the self centred question: 'what profit is there for me' in the blessings and opportunities which God has given me? Surely all that God has blessed me with in circumcision, covenant or sacraments is for my benefit and profit? Like the servants in the parables of the talents in Matthew chapter 25 God has purpose in the bequeathing of gift and covenant. The talent was a test. Circumcision was not about personal profit but for an eternal purpose. What the religious man did with these opportunities would one day be presented as evidence in the God's courtroom! Bible teaching from Romans Dr J Stewart Gillespie 

New Cumnock Gospel Hall