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Where, then, is boasting? It has been excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,   since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one.   Do we then nullify the Law through faith? Far from it! On the contrary, we establish the Law. Romans 3:26-31 It is all too common to bring pride into our relationship with God. After all, we humans do like to captain our own ships. This injection of pride, no matter how seemingly insignificant, will hinder our worship. Why? When we believe we have contributed something to our salvation, it reduces our perspective of who God is. Any “good” work we may do comes about because God’s Spirit moves within us, a gift for which we can never claim any credit. Besides, how can any Christian gaze upon the cross and think they can add something to that?

Whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness because in God’s merciful restraint He let the sins previously committed go unpunished;   for the demonstration, that is, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:25-26 Of course, propitiation means to fulfill a demand. In this, the demand was payment for our acts against God. Take note, this gift from God does not come to us without cost, only the cost was satisfied by another. Simply put, God does not set aside His justice out of love. Instead, He fulfills His justice out of love. He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

But now, apart from the Law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,   but it is the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction,   for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus . . . . Romans 3:21-24 This is good news; even though all types of people oppose the will of God, they can still be justified through faith in Jesus Christ. There is nothing extra to be added. Christians can boldly approach God’s throne by wearing the cloak of Christ.

Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;   because by the works of the Law, none of mankind will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes knowledge of sin. Romans 3:19-20 The Law is essentially what God has revealed to humanity to be acceptable and good. As we examine the Law, it reflects our true nature, in which we see that we cannot be justified to God through what He has deemed good. Simply put, we are incapable of doing so. It is from this Biblical truth that God provided the Gospel to humankind. As a result, the next verse begins with one of the most remarkable conjunctive words found in Holy Scripture; But. . . .

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:18 Embedded in Paul’s statement of “no fear” is the lack of a deep reverence for God among the pagan. Believers know that they are saved and that there is no condemnation for disciples of Christ. However, believers should also have and maintain a reverent fear of the holy, infinite power of God. Because it is in that fear that our common sense and judgment develop. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10

“Their feet are swift to shed blood, Destruction and misery are in their paths, And they have not known the way of peace.” Romans 3:15-17 We are often eager to cause harm and destruction in our corruption as our pride is wounded and tempers flare. What description would fit such a person? Destruction and misery are in their paths, and they have not known the way of peace. The most destructive and violent century in world history by far was the twentieth century. We are barely into the twenty-first, and it doesn’t look good so far. We have no clue as to the way of peace. However, the first century was the most peaceful by comparison, and that century watched the coming of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

“Their throat is an open grave, With their tongues, they keep deceiving,” “The venom of asps is under their lips” “Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness” Romans 3:13-14 Here we see the apostle Paul use a few metaphors to describe the depraved condition of the human soul. Even the basic function of the mouth, lips, tongue, and throat have become corrupt offering testimony with deadly poison. The clothing we wear is foul and our deeds are but filthy rags to God. So, to be right before Him we must wear the robe of another who is without sin or corruption.

They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, There is not even one.” Romans 3:12 When people turn away from God, the result is corruption. This is a cause and effect. However, the apostle Paul goes further by stating, “All have turned away. No one does good, not even one.” That is a definitive statement. From our man-centered perspective, there are those who perform some good deeds. But that perspective is not the correct Biblical perspective, as God defines what is good. The Biblical standard goes something like this; external acts are considered good if they conform to what God has determined to be right. Ok, so far, so good. However, to meet God’s standard of good the deed must also be motivated internally to please God with a heart that loves Him completely without any deviation. Paul is saying there is no one like that. In short, we all have skin in the game to some degree in everything we do.

but it is the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction,  23  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:22-23 Why is God’s righteousness necessary for all believers? Because everyone has sinned and continues to sin by falling short of the glory of God. We may get things right occasionally, but everyone will crash and burn in thought and deed sooner or later. As a result, all believers will one day stand before God wearing the righteous cloak of another, Jesus Christ.

But now, apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, but it is the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction. Romans 3:21-22 The Old Testament testifies to God’s redemptive work through Christ, Jesus. The significant point is, the work of God through Christ is available to only those who believe, and to all who believe.

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:18 The apostle Paul provides a simple explanation for the depravity of man, No Fear of God. There is no reverence for obedience. There is no fear of the One who judges. Once our fear and reverence for God are removed, what then remains to stave off the appeal of temptation?

“There is no righteous person, not even one; There is no one who understands, There is no one who seeks out God. Romans 3:11 Knowing this biblical truth and our natural inclination to go against God’s will is not an occasional problem. As a result, God has sent a liberator. Not merely a teacher, and indeed not a politician. He sent One, as He is, the center of life, to reconcile those He has chosen to Himself through the blood of Christ.