Tag: Romans 3
There is no distinction
Scripture reading for June 17: Romans 3
“Now we know that whatever the Law says it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in His sight, since through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the Law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it–the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. For there is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ, . .” Romans 3:19-24
Just as God is not partial, He shows no distinction between Jew or Gentile. The reason for this is that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God’s perfect holiness. The Jews have broken God’s law by disobedience. They had the Law and Prophets as their guide. Their sin was revealed by God’s Law, but not removed or fixed because a mirror has no power to change the reflection. The Greeks had the Law written on the tablets of their heart but they failed to obey God’s inner witness of the conscience. (Romans 2:15-16) They had blocked out their conscience and hardened their hearts. There is no distinction between the two as all have sinned and are under God’s judgment.
But God Himself provided a plan for all men, Jew or Greek, to be justified before Him. It was and is by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Whoever would come to God through faith in Christ’s sacrifice of His blood and life would be saved. This would cleanse their soul of unrighteousness and bring God’s Gift of His perfect righteousness through His Son Jesus Christ. God would give this gift without distinction to Jew and Gentile, slave or free, man or woman!
Have you ever felt that Jews or certain ‘religious’ people had an advantage over you in obtaining God’s favor? Have you faced the fact that you are a sinner who has to answer before God? Have you humbly acknowledged your sins and asked for the gift of grace and righteousness through Jesus Christ?
Prayer: Father God, I admit that I have sinned and fallen short of Your perfect holiness. I cast myself on Your Son Jesus Christ and ask for mercy and forgiveness. I receive by faith Christ Jesus as Lord of my life and my only hope of Your eternal glory. Thank You for showing no partiality or distinction. Amen.
Justified by grace!
Scripture reading for June 16th: Romans 3
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Romans 3:21-25 “But now a righteousness from God, apart from the Law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood.”
After showing that all men, Jew and Gentile, stood guilty of sin before God, Paul gave the simple remedy. God made a way through faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice of His body and blood to justify all who would believe. The word ‘justify’ simply means to make right by a legal transaction. All men had sinned and the penalty was death. But God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to come and live in this world as a man, but without sin. Jesus, God’s Son, then offered His blood in place of sinful men’s blood or the blood of innocent animals. This justly satisfied God’s righteous anger against sin and the penalty of death for all who sinned. If we believe God, we are made righteous.
Observations for over-comers: Righteousness cannot be gained by any human works or religion. It is freely given as a gift to all who believe in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on their behalf. “Abraham believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6)
Righteousness given by faith alone!
Scripture reading for June 17th: Romans 3
Is there anyone in the world that is righteous–has right standing before God? Various religions have attempted to answer this question by offering ways that man can perform in a certain way and become right with God. Atheists and humanists claim that there is no ‘God’, and therefore man is free to do what feels good to him. Any hint of future reward or punishment is just a figment of the imagination. But Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, brings the truth to light about righteousness.
Even though the Jews had many advantages because of their history and God’s own written record of His law to them, they still had not kept God’s commands. The Gentiles, not having God’s law, had a form of it written on their hearts so that they too were without excuse before God on the issue of righteousness. (Romans 2:14-15) Paul concluded with a quote from the Psalms, “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, who seeks God.” (Romans 3:10-11) God’s laws only bring a consciousness of sin to Jew and Gentile alike. All are guilty before God and lack right standing.
“But now a righteousness from God, apart from law has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood.” (Romans 3:21-25)
Righteousness is available to all by faith in Jesus Christ! This truth brings right standing with God on His terms!