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Romans 3:29–30
There is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith (Rom. 3:30).
God’s way of salvation—justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone—leaves those who are justified with nothing about which to boast, as we saw in yesterday’s study. But Paul sees other implications of the divine plan, and in today’s passage he points out that the Gospel is the Good News of salvation for everyone, the sole means by which a person may be made right with God. In other words, God does not save one group of people one way and another group of people another way—all must come through Jesus Christ.
For Paul, this follows logically from the fact that there is one God. As Dr. James M. Boice notes, the idea of monotheism was the major theological tenet that most distinguished the Jews from pagan peoples. But with that proper understanding of one God went an improper belief that salvation was for Jews only. They assumed that Gentiles could not be saved (unless they first became Jews). On the other hand, the Gentiles worshiped a multitude of gods and raised no objections to worship of any. Theoretically, everyone could and would be saved by the god he or she chose to follow. As Boice puts it, “Whereas Israel had monotheism with an accompanying exclusiveness, the Gentile had tolerance without monotheism.”
Both of these views are wrong, Paul asserts. Yes, there is only one God—but all men may come to Him for salvation. Yes, anyone theoretically may be saved—but only if he comes to the one God. The Lord is God, and there is no other. And it follows logically from that truth that He has established one way of salvation for everyone: faith in Christ. Both Jews and Gentiles may—and must—come through Him if they are going to come at all.
Boice notes that few teachings stir the ire of unbelievers more than the Christian assertion that there is only one way to God. Those who insist that God must provide multiple avenues by which men may approach Him, or that virtually any avenue a man chooses to follow will bring him to God as long as he is sincere, are missing the point: The opening of just one way to God is an act of unspeakable grace, mercy, and kindness on God’s part (Titus 3:4–5). We deserve His wrath. To demand that He allow us to approach Him as we wish is the height of arrogance and presumption.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Boice notes that the Gospel is “offered to all alike—apart from their religious advantages, understanding or lack of understanding, good works or very evil deeds.” If you have never accepted this gracious offer, reconsider today. If you have believed, consider to whom God would have you declare the one true way of salvation.
For Further Study
- Psalm 84:11
- Romans 5:17
- 2 Corinthians 8:9
- Ephesians 1:7
- Ephesians 6:24