These posts will start to get more concise as tools, resources, and other helpful items are explained in previous posts. Starting from here on, I will focus mostly on the actual S.O.A.P. process as these are meant to be read in order to build up the whole book we are focusing on.

S - Scripture

Romans 3:28

28 For we conclude that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

Romans 4:3-5

3 For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness. 4 Now to the one who works, pay is not credited as a gift, but as something owed. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited for righteousness.

Romans 5:1

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

O - Observation

• Works aren't credited to our justification
• Works require a payment, something owed
• Are all works pointless?
• What is Abraham's example?
• Why do we have peace with God through justification by faith?

A - Application

For we conclude is to be read just like "therefore". Whenever you see this type of transition, it is good to stop and ask "what is the therefore there for?". Usually this connects what follows "therefore (and for we conclude in this example)" with the passages before it.

• Going back to Romans 3:21-26 (by the way, this paragraph was one long sentence in the original Greek), remember that we are justified because of Jesus's redemptive work on the cross. Therefore (or we conclude), that our works are not factored into being justified.
• • Furthermore, looking at verse 27, we notice that boasting is completely removed from our justification since we cannot be justified by our own works.
• Paul uses Abraham as an example for us:
• • No boasting (vv 3:27a and 4:1-2)
  • Justified by faith and not works (vv 3:27b-28 and 4:3-8)
  • Jews and Gentiles are united under God through faith (vv 3:2-30 and 4:9-17)
  • • There is one God, not God of the Jews and then God of the Gentiles
• Notice how Abraham's story parallels that of Paul's audience (by the way, that includes you and me)
• If justification comes from God and not our works, do we need to do works at all?
• • Yes, while our works do not gain us any favor with God or removes any of our sins, they are still important to our Christian walk.
  • Read Ephesians 2:8-10
  • God planned good works for us to do, acts of faithfulness and obedience to God. This is evidence of God's transformative work in us when we become Christians (followers of Christ).
• We now have peace with God, but what does that really mean?
• • Let's start with what is peace.
  • • Peace is the absence of conflict and also the presence of a blessing (ESV Global Study Bible note on John 14:27).
  • Before we were at peace with God we were in opposition with Him. This means that we were due His righteous wrath and punishment (sin can't go unpunished or God wouldn't be holy and righteous).
  • • Because Jesus went to the cross for you and me, our sins are fully paid for (upfront), so we are no longer in opposition with God, rather we are grafted (adopted) into His family.
• Because we are justified by Jesus' work on the cross and not our own, this can be reassuring to us as that means we don't have to do more, do better, or worry if we are doing things correctly. As we continue to grow in our Christian faith and walk, we will grow in our understanding of God and His Word and the works God has planned for us (we call this Sanctification; the progressive process of becoming sanctified or righteous).
• Don't worry if you don't feel like you are where you should be in your Christian life, that is a good thing that you are noticing this. No one is perfect or fully righteous but we have this striving (because the Holy Spirit lives in us when we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior) to everything God wants us to be.

P - Prayer

Lord,
Thank You for sending Your Son Jesus so that we can be made justified before You. Continue to work in me to grow closer to You and to continue to do the good works You have planned specifically for me. Help me to be bolder in sharing who You are with others and bring them to You to share in Your peace and grace and faithfulness.
Amen.