Romans 3:21-26
21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 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. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
We are all sinners. We have all blown it, failed, and rightly fear judgement. In the words of Paul, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (verse 23). We need to stop pretending we are not that bad and realize the seriousness of our sin. But the next verse is important to remember too, for we "are justified by his grace as a gift" (verse 24). There is hope, there is forgiveness, not based on our worthiness, but a free gift of grace through the sacrifice of Jesus. This takes us beyond fear of judgement to thankfulness for God's redeeming work.
Heavenly Father, thank you for Your incredible mercy. I know I don't deserve it, but I do appreciate it.
21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 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. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
We are all sinners. We have all blown it, failed, and rightly fear judgement. In the words of Paul, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (verse 23). We need to stop pretending we are not that bad and realize the seriousness of our sin. But the next verse is important to remember too, for we "are justified by his grace as a gift" (verse 24). There is hope, there is forgiveness, not based on our worthiness, but a free gift of grace through the sacrifice of Jesus. This takes us beyond fear of judgement to thankfulness for God's redeeming work.
Heavenly Father, thank you for Your incredible mercy. I know I don't deserve it, but I do appreciate it.