ROMANS: EVERYONE’S A SINNER, ALL CAN BE A SAINT

Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Today, we are going to be in Romans 3 and 4 as we continue our study of the book of Romans. Last week, we discussed chapter 2 where it was clear…we are all guilty as charged! Now we see what God does in response. 

1. Looking in the Mirror 

Romans 3:20 (NKJV) Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

• The law served as a mirror to see the sinfulness of man
  • Martin Luther said, “The Law of the Ten Commandments is the strength of sin because it creates self-knowledge.”[1] (1 Corinthians 15:56)
• It reminded us of our inability to be made right with God

Warren Wiersbe said, “It is only when we stand silent before Him as sinners that He can save us. As long as we defend ourselves and commend ourselves, we cannot be saved by God’s grace. The whole world is guilty before God—and that includes you and me!”[2]

1. It’s not a pretty sight

Vss 10-18 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; 11There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one. 13Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit; The poison of asps is under their lips; 14Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. 15Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16Destruction and misery are in their ways; 17And the way of peace they have not known.

18There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

• Paul paints a desperate picture of the condition of man
  • “none righteous, no not one – vs 10
  • “none who understands…none who seeks after God” – vs 11
  • “all have turned aside…there is none who does good” – vs 12
  • “There is no fear of God before their eyes” – vs 18
• These OT references (Psalm 14) are descriptors of all of us and a reminder that no matter how closely someone follows the law (works), he can never be made right with God  

D.L Moody stated, “The law brings out sin; grace covers it. The law wounds; the Gospel heals. One is a quiver of arrows; the other a cruise of oil.”[3]

Vs 21-23 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

1. But God has changed the view

Vss 24-26 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

• “We are not justified by doing good works, but being justified we then do good.[4]” – William Jenkyn
• Jesus has cleared the path back to reconciliation with God through His singular act of sacrifice
• Our justification is a two-fold statement from God: 1) we are declared “not guilty”, 2) we are declared righteous
• God extended His undeserved patience to us all (vs 25)

1. And it’s not by what we do but through what we believe

Vss 27-28 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

• If we have been justified by grace through faith and not by our own doing, what have we to be proud of?
• Pride in our piety declares our goodness is greater than God’s grace
• Warren Wiersbe said, “Everything in creation, except man, obeys the will of God.”[5]

1. A SAINT through faith

Romans 4:2-4 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it wasaccounted to him for righteousness.” 4Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.

• Verse 3 declares the truth of all mankind: our righteousness is not through self, it is through belief
• If we believe our salvation is by what we do, we are not receiving a gift at all as we are stating it is something we are owed
• Nearly 100 statements in Scripture refer to the “free gift” of salvation which is given to us by God

Vss 20-25 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 23Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, 24but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.

• As Matthew Henry stated, “God never promises more than he is able to perform.”[6]
• The clear statement by Paul is the promise God has granted to us all that what He has done for Abraham, He will do for you
• 62 times in the New Testament, those who have trusted in Christ are referred to as “saints”
• Verse 25 – “justification” – dikaiõsis = The act or event by which God credits a sinner who has faith as being right with Him through the blood of Jesus.[7]

Bottom line:

While we are all sinners, without excuse, God has made a way back to Himself through the gift of His Son. And this way is the ONLY WAY to salvation. Believing that Jesus is the Son of God who died and rose again. This is God’s plan for mankind. 

[1] Compiled by Mark Water, The New Encyclopedia of Christian Quotations, 2000.

[2] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 522.

[3] Zuck, Roy B. The Speaker’s Quote Book: Over 4,500 Illustrations and Quotations for All Occasions. Kregel Academic & Professional, 1997. 

[4] The Complete Gathered Gold: A Treasury of Quotations for Christians. Reformation Heritage Books, 2024.

[5] Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 999.

[6] The Complete Gathered Gold: A Treasury of Quotations for Christians. Reformation Heritage Books, 2024.

[7] Logos Bible Software Definition, 2025.