We are justified by faith, without the deeds of the law.
Romans 3:28 concludes that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Les Feldick teaches that believing is faith plus nothing, and that justification is not based on anything we can do in the energy of the flesh, but solely on faith in Christ's finished work.
Romans 3:28 — This is the verse the question asks about, and it directly states that justification is by faith without the deeds of the law.
Romans 3:24 — It shows that justification is freely given by God's grace through redemption in Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:21-28 presents the scriptural basis for justification. Verse 21 says, 'But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;' Verse 22, 'Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:' Verse 23, 'For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;' Verse 24, 'Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:' Verses 25-26 declare that God set forth Christ as a propitiation through faith in His blood, declaring His righteousness, 'that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.' Then verse 28 concludes, 'Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.'
Les Feldick emphasizes that Paul's conclusion in Romans 3:28 is settled: a man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the law. He repeatedly says that believing is faith plus nothing, and that no work of the flesh can contribute to salvation. Les explains that justification is a judicial decree of God, restoring the believer to a standing like Adam's before the fall. He also insists that works are not absent from the believer's life; rather, they follow salvation as the fruit of faith. Les also highlights that this kills all boasting, because we have to totally rest on what Christ has done on our behalf.
In Romans 3:28 Paul says a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Les Feldick explains that the law of faith, not the law of works, is what saves. He points out that works according to Scripture are anything done in the energy of the flesh, and those have no place in justification. Faith is what God looks at, and believing is faith plus nothing.
Romans 3:27 asks, 'Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.' Since salvation is not by works, no one can claim credit. Les puts it this way: we can never come back and say, 'I did this for my salvation.' Justification rests totally on what has been done on our behalf by Christ.
Romans 3:26 declares that God does this so 'that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.' Les explains that God is absolutely fair and just in everything He does. Through the propitiation of Christ's blood, God can remain just while declaring righteous everyone who believes in Jesus. Les describes justification as a judicial decree of Almighty God that restores believers to the standing Adam had before the fall.
No. Les teaches that it is faith plus nothing until we are saved, but after salvation, works naturally follow. He says, 'And then what follows? Works, of course.' The works are never part of our salvation; they are the result of the salvation we have already received by faith.
Faith Plus Nothing
Les teaches that believing in Jesus is faith plus nothing, and that God can be just while justifying everyone who believes.
Justified by Faith Without Deeds
Les states Paul's conclusion that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law, defining justification as made just as if we'd never sinned.
Righteousness on All Who Believe
Les shows that the righteousness of God is upon all who believe, with nothing added, emphasizing 'believe plus nothing.'
Not Justified by Flesh
Les explains that Paul repeats being justified by faith because we are not justified by anything we do, and works are anything done in the energy of the flesh.
Believing Is Faith
Les teaches that 'believe' in Romans 3 is faith, and faith is trust, and God justifies us freely because of what Christ accomplished on the cross.
Judicial Decree of Justification
Les says we are justified by a judicial decree of God, who restores believers to Adam's pre-fall standing because they believe the gospel.
No Difference Between Jew and Greek
Les reads Romans 3:22-24, showing that the righteousness of God is for all who believe, and that justification is freely by God's grace.
The Law of Faith
Les explains that the law of faith, not the law of works, is what excludes boasting, and that faith is plus nothing until we are saved; after salvation, works follow.
Romans 3:28: Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
The key verse being asked about; it gives the direct answer that justification is by faith without the deeds of the law.
Romans 3:24: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Shows that justification is a free gift of God's grace through redemption in Christ.
Romans 3:22: Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Reveals that God's righteousness comes by faith in Christ to everyone who believes.
Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Explains why everyone needs justification — all have sinned.
Romans 3:26: To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Declares God is both just and the justifier of those who believe in Jesus.
Romans 3:27: Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Excludes boasting by pointing to the law of faith rather than works.
Romans 5:1: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
States the result of justification by faith — peace with God.
We are justified by faith without the deeds of the law (Romans 3:28). Les Feldick stresses that believing is faith plus nothing, and that works have no part in our justification.
Paul contrasts the law of works with the law of faith. Les Feldick calls the law of faith beautiful because it means salvation is without works — we rest totally on what Christ has done.
God set forth Christ as a propitiation through faith in His blood, so that He might be just and the justifier of those who believe in Jesus (Romans 3:25-26). Les explains that God is absolutely fair, even when declaring sinners righteous through faith.
No. Les teaches that faith plus nothing applies until we are saved; after salvation, works follow. Works are the result of salvation, not the means of it.
Watch the Teaching: Why Heaven Won't Be Full of Boasters: Faith vs. Works