CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE DAILY DEVOTIONAL ON YOUTUBE
Romans 3:21-22c
The Apostle Paul has in the previous verse of Romans 3:20 (NKJV) proclaimed, “Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” So, if one cannot be justified by the law but is only through the law made aware of sin, then by what or how can one be justified in the eyes of God?
Paul has put quite a bit of effort into convincing everyone of the sin that is present in their lives; and this is important in building up to what he is about to announce – the revelation of the righteousness of God! Paul tells us that the righteousness of God is revealed apart from the law (Romans 3:21) which is to say that righteousness does not come from the law as he has already told us in Romans 3:20 that no one will be justified, “by the deeds of the law” (NKJV), but “by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Paul has taken the steps which prove the insufficiencies of the law: (1) In Romans 2:13 we learn that hearing the law is not enough as it is only those who do the requirements of the law that will be justified; (2) in Romans 3:9-19 we learn that no one is better than another as all humanity is guilty of sin in the eyes of God; and (3) if all of humanity is guilty of sin, then no one is able to do the requirements of the law as keeping one or several parts of the law is not enough in that righteousness through the law can only be accomplished by keeping all the law. Therefore we all find ourselves helpless and hopeless in the eyes of God to accomplish righteousness in being justified in the eyes of God.
I use several different versions/interpretations of the Bible in this study to help gain the best understanding of God’s word that we can in the English language, and all have their differences in the wording that they use (however to the same result of the interpretation) but have been guided by the changes in the English language over the years. But all versions/interpretations of the Bible that I use: KJV, NKJV, NIV, ESV, HSCB begin the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 3:21 with the same words, “But now”. Paul tells us “But now” is the time; “But now the righteousness of God …is revealed,…” “But now” the question finds its answer: So, if one cannot be justified by the law but is only through the law made aware of sin, then by what or how can one be justified in the eyes of God? Paul tells us in Romans 3:21-22c (ESV), “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.”
This is a promise and example of how one gains righteousness and justification in the eyes of God.
We all fall short, yet Satan blinds us to our own shortcomings by forcing us to focus on the shortcomings of others in a vain attempt to see ourselves as being more justified and more righteous than others. This is being trapped in the chains of the devil’s power over us – and being blind to it, just as Satan likes to keep us – blind to the only righteousness and justification that matters – in God’s eyes! We cannot justify ourselves or make ourselves righteous in God’s eyes; and maybe that is the catch that we need to realize; it is not our own justification and our own thoughts of righteousness that matters, but only what matters in the eyes of God. And in the eyes of God we are all guilty and deserving of everlasting punishment, unless we open our eyes, minds, and hearts to faith in Jesus Christ and begin seeking what matters to HIM!
Dear LORD,
We all have a desire to be righteous and justified – we prove it each day of our lives by our comments and actions toward others that put them down or set them up to fail so that we will look better than they. But please help us to realize that we are no better than anyone else; we are all guilty of sin and in need of a Savior, a Savior whom You provided in Your one and only Son Jesus Christ whom You sent to save the world from sin for all who will believe in Him (John 3:16-17; Romans 3:22). In Jesus name I pray, amen.