Up to this point, Paul has done a masterful job of exposing our sinfulness and need for rescue. God has no favorites when it comes to Jews or Gentiles, and yet we all fall short. Paul’s words about the importance of the law are brilliant. “For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.”
When we examine ourselves, our actions, our thoughts, we know right away that we are sinful. Paul didn’t want his audience to feel defeated in this moment of self-awareness. He wants to turn immediately to the solution, our rescue from sin. Our rescuer is none other than Jesus Christ himself.
The prophets spoke of his coming, and Jews had been anticipating their Messiah for many generations. They would no longer be slaves to the law. Jesus is the one who would make us right with God. Paul said, “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.” This rescue does have a “catch.” All we need to do is believe; it doesn’t matter what we’ve done.
How does it make you feel to know that Jesus sacrificed himself for your sin? God’s justice and fairness were revealed in Jesus. God didn’t punish us but sent Jesus instead. “People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.” Do you believe?
When I think of Jesus taking the punishment I deserve for my sin, my heart breaks. At the same time, I am energized to know he loves me that much. Jesus did the hard, painful work, paid the price, and sacrificed his perfect self for me and for you.
Season 6 of the television series, The Chosen, is about to be released. The entire season covers the hours leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion. I know it will be painful to watch, so I am preparing myself. It does us good to visualize exactly what Jesus did for us so that the impact can move us closer to him.
We may wonder why God would do this for us. If you’ve ever questioned your worth, not feeling like you are “enough,” then remembering Jesus’ sacrifice can remind you of your value. Paul said about the why, “God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.” God made a way for us where there was no way without him.
Paul opened this letter to the Romans in such vivid detail about sin so that we would stand exposed as guilty. Otherwise, why would we see the need for rescue, for a Savior like Jesus? Many non-believers today walk around unaware of their sinfulness, oblivious that they need Jesus, too. How many times have you heard someone say, “I’m good, I don’t need to read the Bible or go to church or put my trust in Jesus”? These people are in denial because they don’t know any better. They need Paul to wake them up, as he did in this letter.
Paul drives home how we can be rescued from our own sinfulness. “So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.” The law has its purpose, and there is a lot we can learn about God’s character through the law. However, we are no longer a slave to the law. I like how Paul clarifies the role and continuing importance of the law. “Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.”
Faith in Jesus is the way we live a rescued life. Jesus himself said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Those are words we can trust and hold on to.
Let’s pray. Lord Jesus, thank you for what you have done to rescue me from my sins and set me free from the shackles of the law. I am made right with the Father because I believe in you and what you have done for me. What a gift you have given me and the world! Help me to do a better job of living my life in ways that honor and please you. Forgive me for my sinful tendencies and help me be stronger every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
