BUT NOW
ROMANS 3:21-23NKJV
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Being right with God is a desire within the heart of every person. It is what drives people to satisfy that heart hunger. In this 3rd chapter of Romans, Paul reveals the answer to our spiritual need.
But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed. Being made right with God is no longer connected to keeping Jewish laws. The good news is that no one was able to successfully keep the law. Keeping the law was a futile effort because of the weakness of our flesh nature.
But now. Now Jesus has come. He kept the law and lived a sinless life. He paid the price for our sins on the cross. And He was raised from the dead that we might be made righteous before God.
But now. Now salvation is not limited to a particular nation or group. Now salvation is available to anyone who places their faith in Jesus. Because all of us have sinned, we have missed the mark and fall short of God's perfection, His glory.
But now. Now we are no longer looking to our own efforts and goodness. We are looking to Jesus and what He has done.
APPLICATION:
What Jesus has done for us frees us from striving to be accepted by God. Because we have placed our faith in Jesus, we are made right with God. And we are accepted in Christ.
So, some would say now that we are made righteous before God, it does not matter how we live. Au contraire small bear. No, it does matter. But now, we are not living right to be accepted by God. We live right because we've been accepted. We are new creations in Christ with a capacity to let our light shine and reveal God's goodness to those who are in spiritual darkness.
But now that we have been made right, we can live right.
And when we fall short, we can confess our sins and receive forgiveness and cleansing from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
But now we are on an entirely new path with new potential and a bright future. Not because of how great we are but because of what Jesus, the greatest One, did for us.
PRAYER:
Father, I am and will be eternally grateful for what Jesus has done for me.