How are the two absolutes of faith and shed blood satisfied in Romans 3:24-26?
In Romans 3:24-26, the shed blood satisfies the absolute that without blood there is no remission, since Christ Jesus's redemption was the price paid. The faith absolute is satisfied because verse 26 says this redemption is appropriated when one believes, and believing is faith. Both imperatives are thus met together.
Les explains that he had previously put two absolutes on the board: without faith it is impossible to please God, and without the shedding of blood there is no remission. In Romans 3:24-26, both imperatives are satisfied. The shed blood is dealt with because it was the price of redemption, and verse 26 shows that all of this is appropriated when we believe; believing is faith. So both absolutes appear right here in short order.
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
More Questions
When is the redemption in Romans 3 appropriated?
Les explains that Romans 3:24 declares believers are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Then in verse 26 he shows that all of this is appropriated when we believe, and believing is faith. Les connects this to two absolutes: without faith it is impossible to please God, and without the shedding of blood there is no remission. The shed blood was the price of redemption, and that redemption is applied to the believer by faith.
Why are both the shedding of blood and faith needed for salvation?
In the verse 'Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood,' there are two things—propitiation through His blood and faith—and these cannot be separated, because without the shedding of blood there is no remission and without faith there is no salvation.