SCRIPTURE: Romans (NIV) 3:20 Therefore no-one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
OBSERVATION: As creation is a self-portrait of God’s being, so the law is a self-portrait of God’s moral character. It is absolutely perfect. It is so holy that man is unable to keep it. In order to be acceptable before God, man needs help—lots of help! In the tabernacle and temple, God accepted animal sacrifices. They could not atone for man’s sin, but when done in faith, God accepted them as a stand-in sacrifice until the one perfect sacrifice would be made.
From the depths of the hopelessness seen in verse 20, we are lifted to the height of hope in verse 21! There is another way to right standing with God. There is another way to obtain righteousness. And since it is righteousness from God, we can be assured that it is acceptable before God! Although this righteousness is apart from the law, it has been prophesied in the law itself and in the prophets. Every time a sacrifice (as required of the Law) was made, it was a prophecy of one coming who would put an end to sacrifices! Every time a son of Adam stood as priest before God (as required by the law) it was a prophecy of One coming who was worthy to stand in His own sinless garments before God!
APPLICATION: The hopelessness of verse 20 is offset by hope offered in verse 21 “to all who believe.” The “believer” receives a “righteousness from God!” It is received through faith in Jesus. The sinless blood of Jesus covers my sins and I am made just-as-if-I’d never sinned!
PRAYER: Jesus, my faith is in you and your death on the cross as the sacrifice for my sins. I receive your forgiveness and invite you to live in me and through me as my Lord! Amen.
Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!
On Facebook: Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
I have not heard anything today from Pastor Andrew. He will be in the hospital for at least a week to monitor his medications and progress. Thanks to everyone for praying. God is faithfully at work in and through and for Pastor Andrew.
SOAPs by Pastor Leon 