Paul just presented a patchwork of quotes from the Old Testament ("the Law") that establishes the lack of goodness in every human being. Paul then explains that the Law taught things like this to God's chosen people group (The Jews) so that they, and the rest of the world (whom the Jews were meant to teach) would make no excuses for themselves and would instead recognize how they have rebelled against God. (v. 19)
Coming to this point of humility and recognition of our sinful condition is difficult but vital, because no one will be successful in gaining good standing with God by obeying the Law. All attempts at being "good enough" for God will fail. In fact, anyone truly dedicated to the Law will understand that it is impossible to be "good enough" for God, because the Law mercilessly exposes our sin! (v. 20)
The good news is that God's righteousness (his standard of goodness) has been revealed in another way that is separate from the Law, although the writers of the Old Testament books new it was coming and wrote about it. (v.21)
This standard of goodness, demonstrated by Jesus, is achievable by trusting in Jesus, the promised Messiah of the Old Testament. And this option is available for everyone, not just "good" or "religious" people. God makes no distinction. Everyone has failed to meet God's standard in their behavior. Yet everyone can meet God's standard by trusting in Jesus. (v.22-23)
God offers this justification (right standing with God) as a gift, even though we don't deserve it. ("Grace" means "undeserved favor") The scales of justice are balanced by Jesus, who "redeems" (pays the ransom for) those who trust him for redemption. (v. 24)
So how does Jesus make this "payment"? God actually put this "transaction" on public display when Jesus suffered and died. He was a "propitiation".
A propitiation is an act that appeases. Our rebellion against God makes us deserving of punishment. But Jesus was a "propitiation" that appeases God's wrath against those who trust Jesus for this purpose.
The Greek word Paul used here that English Bibles translate to "propitiation" is "Hilasterion": mercy seat. The Mercy Seat was the lid, or covering of the Ark Of The Covenant, where the High Priest came once a year to sprinkle the blood of sacrifices for the sins of God's people. This metaphor indicates that Jesus is the means provided by God for dealing with our sin problem.
Jesus became the "mercy seat" by suffering the punishment rightfully meant for us. In this transaction, we see that God is consistant in his standards and his dealings with sin. God put up with sins in the past that deserved punishment so that he could eventually demonstrate his character and his justice through Jesus, while still granting mercy. God gives a status of "good standing" to anyone who trusts in the immeasurable payment Jesus Christ made on their behalf. (v. 25-26)
It is this righteousness, this goodness, justice and consistency in God's character, that makes him unique (in at least one way) to all other systems of belief. In every other major religion, there is either a neglect of God's grace, mercy and love, or a neglect of God's fairness and justice. Here, we see both in full operation.
Next Week- If "the Law" can't save us, then where does it fit in?
Coffee House Question- If you bias your thinking of God to one side or the other, do you tend to lean toward his grace, mercy and love, or his holiness and justice?
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