Thursday, July 4, 2024
But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, attested by the Law and the Prophets. The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God presented him as the mercy seat by his blood, through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his restraint God passed over the sins previously committed. God presented him to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so that he would be just and justify the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:22-26
What is the condition of all humankind? What is the result of that condition? Does the OT law help with our condition? What is the answer to the human condition? How do we receive this solution?
True Freedom
It is July 4th and freedom in on everyone’s mind. The greatest story of freedom ever told didn’t happen on a battlefield – at least not the kind of battlefield you think of in connection with the word freedom. The greatest story of freedom happened on a cross and in an empty grave. Jesus’ death and resurrection freed us from the bondage of sin and eternal separation from Him. This is the freedom that will save your life.
Paul tells us in Romans Chapter 3 that the condition of all humankind is that we are all sinners. We are imperfect human beings, incapable of redeeming ourselves of this sinful nature. This sin in our lives separates us from God – keeping us from having a relationship with him. The law Paul speaks of is the Old Testament law, made up of over 600 individual commandments. If a person breaks even one, they are guilty. No one has ever kept the law perfectly except for Jesus. The law can show us our sinfulness andour need for a holy God, but the law will not make us righteous, only Jesus can do that. And it is available to all who believe. The way to righteousness is the same for everyone. The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction… v22
So, we are all sinners, incapable of saving ourselves. But the good news is that God knew that and sent His son, Jesus, who paid the debt for us and reconciled us to God so that we can have a relationship with Him. Paul, in the same breath, goes from telling us that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, to telling us that we have been justified freely in Jesus. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. v23-24
When we confess our sin, trust Jesus as our Savior and accept the free gift of eternal life He gives, our sin is forgiven and we are made new in Him. The forgiveness of God restores us so that we can have a relationship with Him and it is free for everyone, no matter who you are, what you have done, or where you are from. You only have to receive it and it is yours.
Where are you today?
Have you received this free gift of salvation and eternal life that Jesus offers?
Maybe you know someone who needs to hear about this free gift. Be intentional about sharing this good news when God lays someone on your heart. Reach out to those around you – in your family, at work, in your neighborhood – and show the love of Jesus to them. When they see you walk The Jesus Way they will notice and want what you have.
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