Tag: Jew and Gentile alike
The level ground of faith!
Scripture reading for July 16th: Romans 3:9-31
I have heard it said that we all stand on level ground at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ! There are no big “I’s” or little “You’s” when it comes to our need for salvation and finding the grace that comes from our Lord’s sacrifice. In Paul’s letter to the Roman, he stresses that all are in need of this grace and explains why!
“There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Romans 3:10-18)
These verses from the Old Testament quoted here show the universal rule of sin in the lives of human beings. Sin has permeated all men and is the cause of evil speech, violence, war, and rebellion against God. Put another way, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) There is no Jew who has kept the law of God and no Gentile who has not violated his conscience! (Romans 2:14-15)
But thanks be to God that He has provided a remedy! “But now a righteousness from God apart from law, has been made known, to which the law and prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” (Romans 3:21-22) Faith is the great equalizer. God has chosen to give the gift of His righteousness to all who will put their faith in what Jesus has done for them.
The real question for us today concerns whether we have come to understand and confess our sinfulness. Repentance requires that we know our need to change our minds and hearts. If we have a godly sorrow over our sins and turn from them to Christ for His cleansing, the gift of righteousness is ours by faith! This is true for all men and women everywhere. Faith is the level ground where the grace of God flows freely!