I’ve been spending quite a bit of time in Romans lately. Chapter 3 includes a strong reminder that no one is righteous. Even though it is scripture, and even though we know it to be true, the gravitas of such statements sting us a little bit. Even when we try our best? Nope, not still righteous. Even right after we ask forgiveness? No, because the stain of sin is written on our hearts. We can’t fix it. We are completely hopeless.
Here’s the important part though…the law was given to us NOT to help us become more righteous, but instead to help us realize and completely understand our NEED for God’s grace.
Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” BUT verse 24 continues, “and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” He always knew that we would fall short of the mark! From before we were born, and yet we are still justified FREELY by His grace.
Verse 25 continues, “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood–to be received by faith.” The law shows us what we could never achieve, but grace shows us what Christ has already achieved for us.
Posted in Staff Blog