BSF Romans Lesson 6 Day 4
Justification: Study of Romans 3:29-30
9. Gentiles are not Jewish
Gentiles are those from all other nations who were not part of the Jewish people or raised under the Law of Moses. The Jews, being God’s chosen, considered themselves justified and the sole possessors of the Law and the promises, so they looked down on Gentiles as rejected by God.
Paul uses the word Gentiles to explain that the gospel is for everyone, not only Jews. Gentiles may not have had the same history, Scriptures, or covenant as Israel, but they can still be made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 2:17: “But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God” ESV
You are proud to be Jewish and believe you have a special relationship with God because you know His Law.
Romans 2:23: “You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law.” ESV
You boast about knowing the Law, but you dishonor God when you do not obey it.
Romans 2:25: “For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision.” ESV
Circumcision is valuable only if you obey God. If you break the Law, the outward sign of being Jewish does not make you right with God.
Paul’s point is that knowing God’s rules, identifying as religious, or having an outward religious sign is not enough. God cares about a person’s heart and obedience. This connects with the message that no one—not Jews or Gentiles—can become righteous simply by their religious identity or works. Everyone needs God’s grace through faith in Jesus.
10. There is only one God.
Many today hold the same belief as Eric Melwani, a former Hindu. “My viewpoint was there’s one God, but he has many names, and many forms. So to me, Jesus was a god, Buddha was a god, Krishna was a god.”
Buddhism and Hinduism are currently trendy. Buddha statues are popular home and garden decor. High-profile business owners, medical practitioners, counselors, and celebrities promote Hindu yoga and Buddhist meditation.
Some ministries and churches host “Christian yoga” classes. There is no such thing.
One minister I know leads “transcendent” meditation classes.
Some other religions and philosophies claim that all roads lead to God, but their contradictory beliefs cannot be reconciled.
“God cannot at the same time be both impersonal and personal, both singular and triune, both finite and infinite, both knowable and unknowable. There is no way to reconcile the various worldviews, such as pantheism, monotheism, and polytheism. Therefore, logically, either none of them or only one is true! The real issue is Truth, an issue of infinite importance.” Crossway.org
Other religious practices may allow you to acknowledge a variety of gods, but Christianity embraces Jesus as the ONLY way.
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 ESV
11. Jesus is the only door.
I understand that people have different beliefs. Romans 3 teaches me that we all need God’s mercy. I believe there is one God and that He has made a way for people to be reconciled to Him through Jesus. I don’t claim that because I am better, but because I trust what Jesus has done. I would be glad to talk about it and also listen to what you believe.”
These are my answers and research for BSF study questions BSF Romans Lesson 6 Day 4
Thanks for visiting! You can ask a question or leave a comment through our Facebook Page.
I would be honored if you subscribe and/or share.
Resources Page
*As an Amazon affiliate, we occasionally add a link. Using the link to make a purchase will not increase your cost, but we may receive a small commission.
