Romans 3:21-31
Scripture: Romans 3:21-31 (ESV) “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 for 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 Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus. Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.”
Devotion: In a world where achievements and status often define us, God introduces a game-changer: righteousness by faith. It’s like discovering a hidden path in a dense forest, where before there was no way through. The law, with its high demands, showed us the map but didn’t give us the means to trek through the forest. Jesus, however, not only shows us the path but also takes us by the hand and leads us through it.
This passage is a breath of fresh air. It says that righteousness—a right standing before God—isn’t about tallying up our good deeds or religious achievements. Instead, it’s a gift, available to all who believe in Jesus, regardless of their background or failures. This gift is like a key handed to us, unlocking a door we could never open on our own.
Paul makes it clear: everyone has sinned, missing the mark of God’s glory. But in Jesus, we find redemption and a righteousness that isn’t our own but is credited to us by faith. This isn’t just about being forgiven; it’s about being made right with God, as if we’d never sinned at all.
What does this mean for our boasting, then? It’s off the table. This isn’t about what we’ve done but about what Jesus has done for us. But notice, this doesn’t take away the law – the law is still good and is still helpful. Rather in living the perfect life for us, Jesus fulfils the law. We receive a perfect life when we come to Jesus in faith, and now we can have a real relationship with God again.
Prayer:
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Lord, thank You for the gift of righteousness through faith in Jesus. It’s overwhelming to think that You offer us a right standing before You, not based on our efforts but on Your grace. Help us to live in the light of this truth, walking with humility and gratitude. Strengthen our faith and help us to extend this same grace to others, knowing it’s not ours to hold onto but to share. Amen.
Challenge for the day: Reflect on the areas of your life where you might still be trying to earn God’s approval or love. Remind yourself that His love and righteousness are gifts, not wages. Today, make it a point to live out of this truth. Show grace to someone who hasn’t earned it, just as God has shown you grace. This could be through forgiveness, an act of kindness, or simply a word of encouragement.