“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it.” Romans 3:21
October 24, 2022
In the day in which we live one would think our greatest need is for a new president, or an energy source other than fossil fuels, or socialism, or government solutions to human problems, or, on a personal level, to have enough money to pay all our debts, or to have world peace. The truth is our greatest need is a change of the human heart. The two words, “But now,” turn a corner in what is a sigh of relieve at this point in Romans. After exposing the twisted, incorrigible sinful condition of human beings, hope is given. The bright light of God’s salvation breaks like the dawn. God has provided the righteousness which He requires. No sinful human being can qualify himself or herself to be accepted by God. No amount of good works can get us into heaven. We can do nothing in ourselves to satisfy God. This reality was driven into the national conscience of Israel through the sacrificial system. Sacrifices were not designed for a way of salvation. All the rivers of blood in animal sacrifices were a testimony to the fact that sin means death. All religions, except Christianity, teach in one way or another that humans can climb the ladder to the presence of God in the afterlife by self-effort. It can never be done. The right standing (“righteousness”) before God has been made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ which has been made visible in history. In the words of a preacher several generations ago, “It is the hand of God that holds the righteousness of God for you to see” (D.G. Barnhouse). All we need to do is place our faith in Jesus Christ. Have you? H
“Faith is seated in the understanding, as well as the will. It has an eye to see Christ, as well as a wing to fly to Christ.” Thomas Watson