The Righteousness of God

My first Wednesday back from vacation was indeed special. I was greeted with resounding applause as I walked into the educational wing of our church to lead noon and evening bible study. It’s really precious to know when you are away that people sincerely miss you and can’t wait to tell you how much they appreciate the ministry God has given you.

We resumed our study of Paul’s letter to the church at Rome. In recent weeks we had discussed the wickedness of man in his depraved state and have concluded that all men are under sin. Whether we are Jew or Gentile all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. We continued our exploration of this rich doctrinal treatise, finding ourselves in chapter 3; verse 21-22; where Paul says:

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: (ESV)

Paul is expanding upon his thesis for the whole book which you may recall was eloquently stated earlier in chapter 1 verse 17. It says:

For in it (the gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (ESV)

Having already succeeded in arguing that there is none righteous no not one in 3:10; Paul now makes it known that the only way we can become righteous is through faith in the finished work of Christ at Calvary. What the law, circumcision or any other thing could not perform has been provided through Christ who is the righteousness of God promised and revealed.

We had such a wonderful feasting of God’s word that time ran right past us. Truly, this was a fruitful day in the word as we praised God for His unspeakable gift of salvation made available to us all.