“21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, attested by the Law and the Prophets. 22 The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction.”
Paul has spent the last 2½ chapters arguing for the complete and total depravity of man. After making sure that no one was left out of his condemnation, Paul moves onto the good news. There is grace, mercy, forgiveness, and most importantly, salvation and righteousness found in Christ Jesus. The law of God does not, in and of itself, declare the righteousness and glory of God. Rather, something entirely separate from the law has come. Jesus! It is in Jesus that we see God’s righteousness displayed. It is in the gospel message that saves sinners that we see God glorified. Remember what Paul said when he introduced the gospel message back in chapter 1.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.” — Romans 1:16-17 (Bold added)
In the book of Acts, Peter argues before Cornelius’ household that in Jesus there is forgiveness of sins.
“All the prophets testify about him that through his name everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins.” — Acts 10:43
(Read the full speech: Acts 10:34-43) It is through faith in Christ that the righteousness of God is revealed and the forgiveness of our sin is obtained. Paul says there is no distinction. He’s already made it clear that both Jews and Greeks are under condemnation for sin. Likewise, any person who is God’s elect, regardless of their past, present, or future, can find salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
“This is the message of faith that we proclaim: If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame, since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” — Romans 10:8b-13
“In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.” — Colossians 3:11
The 4’s and 5’s memorized Romans 5:8 last week in Sunday school. I love that the curriculum we use teaches about sin and that Christ died for us.
I see I’m falling behind in my devotionals, Tyler. Please forgive me. I’ve been super busy writing my book, which takes a ton of time not only in writing it, but also the amount of time I spend in researching that time period. I have to know what I’m talking about!!
Thank you for such a good lesson today. I love Romans!!!!
Love you too.
Nana