Romans 3:19-28 (NRSV)
Read Romans 3:19-28 on biblegateway.com
Verse 19Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. Verse 20For "no human being will be justified in his sight" by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. Verse 21But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, Verse 22the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, Verse 23since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; Verse 24they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Verse 25whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; Verse 26it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus. Verse 27Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. Verse 28For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.
Devotion
I have a friend who is a state district court judge. He listens carefully, considers evidence, studies precedent, weighs many circumstances and then renders a judgment. His decision is what sets things right, offering justice in situations that affect the entire community. The judge understands the law, and every good judge knows that there is time to convict and a time to acquit.
We have a tendency to justify our actions, trying to make a case for why we acted (or didn't act) in a particular way. But the trouble with self-justification is that it's a bit of a desperate act—we're often trying to get ourselves off the hook rather than become accountable. The good judge sees through our excuses and uses a different measure, the righteousness of Christ, which comes to us as a gift of grace. Those who understand this have already been acquitted, and their lives reflect the joy of being delivered from a death sentence.
Prayer
Lord, we know that you judge rightly. May we by faith be grasped by this grace—apart from our desperate, self-justifying tendencies—so that we may truly be set free to share this good news with all. Amen.