“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it.” Romans 5:21
The magnificence of this truth is overwhelming. The fact that the righteousness of God has been made available to sinful man “apart from the law” is as refreshing to the soul as the evening rain is to the barren desert. We have no need to work for our salvation—it is a precious gift of God. Salvation by grace alone is the central theme of the whole Bible. This passage alludes to this fact. “The Law and Prophets bear witness to it.” Bears witness to what? To the wonderful fact that the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law.
“The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith…” Romans 5:22-25
The righteousness of God is only for those who believe. It can be received no other way. If you find yourself believing in the wonderful Savior, Christ Jesus, then you should not let your sin, as vile as it may be, bring you down. For there is “no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” For all who God calls to salvation shall experience no judgment. “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect?” (Rom. 8:33)
We must never forget that our Justification is “by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith…” Our justification is only because of the Christ and “by His blood…” It may be free to us, but only because it cost Christ so much.
Dear Father, may we always never cease to ponder the extreme greatness of the love of Christ. Help us as we hold on to the truth that we are justified freely by Your grace “apart from the law.” Our pride, lodged so deeply within us, demands that we believe that we are in no need of Your righteousness. Thank you Father that Christ bore our sin so that we can bear His righteousness. Thank you Father that being declared righteous by You is a free gift, apart from our works. We love You and adore you. For your Son has said, “I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent me. And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given me, but raise it up on the last day.” (John 6:38-39)
Thank You, Father, that we will never be lost. You are our priceless Treasure, Jesus.
In Your most wise and holy name, amen.
M.
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