Daily Bread 2010 - Romans 3
Romans 3 “Righteousness Through Faith”
21But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
Paul argues that the purpose of the Law, which is good, is to show us our need for a righteousness we ourselves cannot provide. Righteousness means “being in a right relationship with God”. The big “aha” with today’s passage is that our righteousness is obtained only through faith. Faith is trusting in God’s promises.
The key thing is that faith trusts in God’s righteousness, which God has given us in Christ. Christ’s righteousness is perfect and also atones for our lack of righteousness.
So our faith trusts in Christ and His righteousness, and this frees us up from trying to justify ourselves before God.
Why is this so important? Because a lot of people go through their whole life trying to do enough stuff to be seen as righteous in God’s eye. And often the church perpetuates this with its preaching that focuses more on what we do, rather than what has already been done. I myself am guilty of laying burdens on people in this way.
The bottom line is that it is only as we have faith can we know for sure we are righteous because it is not dependant on us but God. When we have peace with God through faith, we can use the same energy that we used trying to do enough good things to serve God in gratitude for what He has done for us. Do you see the difference?
God we thank you that in Christ we have the righteousness that gives us peace with you through faith, trusting in your promises. Teach us to live out of that right relationship that comes by faith and serving you in all we do in freedom not in trying to prove our goodness before you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
21But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
Paul argues that the purpose of the Law, which is good, is to show us our need for a righteousness we ourselves cannot provide. Righteousness means “being in a right relationship with God”. The big “aha” with today’s passage is that our righteousness is obtained only through faith. Faith is trusting in God’s promises.
The key thing is that faith trusts in God’s righteousness, which God has given us in Christ. Christ’s righteousness is perfect and also atones for our lack of righteousness.
So our faith trusts in Christ and His righteousness, and this frees us up from trying to justify ourselves before God.
Why is this so important? Because a lot of people go through their whole life trying to do enough stuff to be seen as righteous in God’s eye. And often the church perpetuates this with its preaching that focuses more on what we do, rather than what has already been done. I myself am guilty of laying burdens on people in this way.
The bottom line is that it is only as we have faith can we know for sure we are righteous because it is not dependant on us but God. When we have peace with God through faith, we can use the same energy that we used trying to do enough good things to serve God in gratitude for what He has done for us. Do you see the difference?
God we thank you that in Christ we have the righteousness that gives us peace with you through faith, trusting in your promises. Teach us to live out of that right relationship that comes by faith and serving you in all we do in freedom not in trying to prove our goodness before you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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