Saturday in the Word | No One Is Righteous (Romans 3)

As we continue our journey through the foundations of Scripture using our Simple Bible Reading Plan, today we begin a three-week journey through one of the most influential books ever written: Romans.

We start in Romans 3.

If Romans were a mountain, chapter 3 would be where we finally understand why we need to climb it in the first place.

Paul leaves no room for comparison or self-congratulation. Whether religious or irreligious, moral or immoral, Jew or Gentile, every one of us stands on the same ground before a holy God.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 3:23 ESV

That verse has become so familiar that we can easily miss its weight because familiarity dulls our senses. Paul isn’t merely saying we’ve all made mistakes. He’s saying sin is universal. Sin is found everywhere and in everyone. None of us can achieve righteousness through our own efforts. You and I cannot earn our way back to God. God has to do the work of redeeming us.

That sounds like difficult news.

The Gospel only becomes good news when we first understand the bad news.

Paul doesn’t leave us in despair as he continues :

and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Romans 3:24 ESV

All have sinned and all who trust Christ may be justified. The same God who exposes our greatest problem also provides our only solution.

Romans 3 reminds us that Christianity is not built on trying harder. It is built on trusting the One who has already done what we never could. Salvation is a gift of grace, received by faith.

As we spend the next few weeks in Romans, don’t rush through its rich theology. Read slowly. Ask questions. Let Paul’s words reshape how you think about God, yourself, and the astonishing grace found in Jesus Christ. I encourage you to read through this monumental letter from the first word to the last. Try to do it at least once this week, more often if possible.

Reflection

Where are you tempted to rely on your own goodness instead of resting in God’s grace?

Prayer

Father, thank You for telling me the truth about my sin without leaving me mired in it. Thank You that while I could never make myself righteous, You have provided righteousness through Your son, Jesus Christ. Help me to trust in Your grace alone and to live each day with gratitude for the gift of salvation, all with the ever present help of the Holy Spirit. In the holy and powerful name of Jesus we do pray, Amen.

Have a wonderful Saturday as you continue reading through Romans. It’s a book that has transformed countless lives because it points us again and again to the greatness of God’s grace.

Until my next post…

Be salty, stay lit.

Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™

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