Monday, October 14, 2019
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 KJV).
Here is the bad news… Now, the good news….
The two opening chapters of Romans explicitly and demonstrably condemn the whole world as sinners before Almighty God. Chapter 1 shows how the Gentiles, or non-Jews, are worthy of eternal judgment (Hell and the Lake of Fire). It closes with verse 32: “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Chapter 2 describes the Jews being equally guilty and also deserving of God’s wrath. In fact, they are more accountable because they had the words of the one true God and lived worse than the Gentiles who lacked those Old Testament Scriptures! Verse 24 comments: “For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.”
Chapter 3 thus synopsizes: “[9] What then? are we [Jews] better than they [Gentiles]? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; [10] As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: [11] There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. [12] They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one…. [19] Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. [20] Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”
After delivering all that terrible news, the Holy Spirit announces the flipside: “[21] But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; [22] Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: [23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;….” What great news this is….
333 Words of Grace 