Romans 3:21-31

“One of the most common and perhaps basic of all sins is illegitimate pride–what Paul calls “boasting.” The tendency for finite, weak, and sinful human beings to think too much of ourselves is endemic and hard to rid ourselves of…”

• Given the complete failure of human righteousness, what hope is there for any relationship with a holy God?
• Reflect on the words “a righteousness from God.”  Where does this new righteousness come from and to whom does it apply?
• Have I accepted fully God’s free gift of redemption through faith in Jesus, or are there ways in which I am still trying to earn His redemption?
• Reflect on the relationship between God’s justice, grace and the cross.  How does this completely exclude the possibility of human effort in earning or contributing to our redemption?
• Why would a person who has been “justified by faith” engage in boasting of “observing the law?”  How can I guard myself against this kind of illegitimate boasting before God?