Romans 3:27-31
Do We Really Believe God?

Introduction
1. In 3:21-26 we saw that all men were born in the country of death. All fall short of God’s
perfect standard. (Rom 3:23) Life is implanted. Only God can form a new creation.
2. Charles Blondin was a famous tight rope walker…perhaps the greatest of all times. He was
famous for crossing Niagara Falls 4 different times. He would perform many ‘tricks’…a backward somersault, sat on a chair on two legs. He took a small cook stove and made an
omelet. In 1860 he shouted, ‘How many of you think I could cross the Falls blindfolded?”
Cheers went up. “How many thinks I could take one person across?” Cheers! Then he
approached one man and said, “Will you be that man?” He refused.
3. Believe…Faith are key words in verses 21-31. Faith…Believe is saying ‘yes’ to the God’s
Provisions. The other word is justified…declared righteous.
4. When it comes to daily living, do we really believe God? Are you willing to get on His
shoulders?
5. In Romans 3:27-31 we will discover whether we really believe God. Three characteristics of
Faith or Believing God are given.

Do we really believe God?
I. AT THE POINT OF FAITH THERE IS FREEDOM 3:27-28
A. The Exclusions of Freedom 27a
There are three each in the form of a question.
1.Self-gratification Of God is mentioned 59 times. In verse 24 through grace. God does it from beginning to end. If someone else does it all…Where is the boasting then? How can we proclaim our own goodness? It is excluded…shut down…shut out.
2.Self-effort By what law? By what principle? What systems of do’s and don’ts. By doing something for God.
3.Self-exertion Of works? It is closely related to law. It is energy exerted…fine
citizen…churchy…helping the poor.
B. The Conclusion for Freedom 27b-28
1. One Principle To Freedom 27b Faith…there is one principle and that is
‘believing God’, taking God at His word! It is by saying, ‘Yes’ to God.
2. One Position From Freedom 28 Justification We conclude that a man is
declared righteous (vindicated, acquitted) by saying ‘Yes’ to God’s provision
apart from any self-effort.
*I heard of a beautiful bald eagle that was caught and kept in a cage. He was
fed by the crowd (hot dogs, marshmallows, junk food). The eagle grew fat and
lazy. The eagle escaped. The bird was too fat to fly and was drowned in a small
stream.
*Eagles were meant to soar. So are Christians. So many are bound in a cage of
envy, jealousy, bitterness, gossip, habits, anxiety, depression…Why? Because
we operate by the wrong principle.
*If you are in bondage, you are operating on one of the principles in verse
27: Self-Gratification…Pride…who we are…what we are…how important
we are! Self-Effort…Law…It is nothing more that do’s and don’ts…form and
ceremony. Self-Exertion…Work…Try…Try…Try/Fail…Fail…Fail
NO! says, Paul, It is the principle of believing God. It is a positive act and
affirmation of divine revelation…absolute truth. By saying, ‘Yes’ to God we
can soar. As Christians we were meant to soar!



Do we really believe God?
II. AT THE POINT OF FAITH THERE IS FAITHFULNESS 3:29-30
If there are 10 gods, then there are 10 ways to god. If there is one God, then there is one
way to that God.
A. The Personnel of Faithfulness 29
1. There is an impartial, personal God.
2. He is the God for Jew and Gentile.
B. The Preeminence of Faithfulness 30
1. One God.
2. One Way.
C. The Path to Faithfulness
1. Declared Righteous for the circumcision. Declared Righteous for the
uncircumcision…both have the one and only path:
2. FAITH…BELIEVING GOD! Each must say, “Yes” to God. Each must
surrender absolutely to God. God is faithful at one point and only one…faith.
3.His faithfulness is never seen until we take the step. It is so in salvation or daily surrender as we claim all that God has for us. Because of who He is it is so. God is faithful. People will fail you.
4.Our response is continually say, “Yes” to God…to His promises…His provisions…His commands…sins to avoid or forsake.

Do we really believe God?
III. AT THE POINT OF FAITH THERE IS FULFILLMENT 3:31
A. The Problem in Fulfillment 31a
Do we then make void the law through faith? Is the law useless?
1.There are some who feel that the doctrine of justification by faith alone undermines the authority of the law.
2. God forbid! May it never be so!
B. The Potential in Fulfillment 31b
We establish the law.
1.The sinner establishes the law in its right use and honor by confessing his guilt and just condemnation. Christ on the sinner’s behalf, establishes the law by obediently keeping its precepts and by enduring its penalty, death.
2.Law was never meant to give life. By failing to meet God’s standards it is evident that we need a Savior. By saying, ‘Yes’ to God’s provision there is fulfillment. One who sees that the cross was an absolute necessity will never feel that he can make himself approved by God by fulfilling the law. If that were the case, Christ would not have to die. Look at the cross…Christ had to die!
3.As Christians, are you frustrated? Christ came to fulfill the law. Life isn’t a system of do’s and don’ts. Quit trying to live the Christian life in your strength, your ability, your little system…that’s law (which will only show you that you are a failure). Draw from His strength, His ability, His way of doing things. At that point there is fulfillment!

Do you think I can do it?
Are you willing to get on My shoulders?