Romans 3:19-26: in context

Paul brings the whole world under God's judgment: no one is justified by the works of the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin, and every mouth is stopped. But now, he says, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, through faith in Jesus Christ, for all who believe. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as an atoning sacrifice. So God is both just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

This passage is the heart of the gospel, and it holds together our helplessness and God's grace. First, the helplessness: all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. No one is exempt; no one can achieve the righteousness God requires by their own effort or law-keeping; every mouth is stopped, all are guilty, none can stand on their own merit. This levels every one of us; there is no distinction, Paul says, for all have sinned. If we are honest, we know it is true; we cannot make ourselves righteous before a holy God by our own doing. But then, the grace: being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Into our helplessness comes God's gift. The righteousness we cannot achieve, God provides, freely, by grace, through Christ, who was set forth as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. We are justified, declared righteous, not by our works, which fall short, but freely, as a gift, through faith in Christ who bore our sin. This is the wonder of the gospel: that the righteousness we could never earn is given freely to all who believe. And Paul marvels at how God accomplished it: so that he might be both just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. God did not simply overlook sin, which would not be just; he dealt with it fully in Christ, who bore its penalty, so that God can both uphold his justice, sin was truly paid for, and justify the sinner who trusts in Christ. Justice and mercy meet at the cross. There is deep freedom and rest in this for the burdened soul. We do not have to achieve a righteousness we cannot achieve; it is given freely in Christ. We are not saved by our works, which fall short, but by grace through faith, as a gift. By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. All have sinned; and all who believe are justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. This is the good news: not that we must earn God's acceptance, but that it is given freely to all who trust in Christ.

Do I try to earn a righteousness before God by my own effort and works, which fall short, or can I rest in the gospel Paul proclaims, that all have sinned and none can be justified by works, but that righteousness is given freely by God's grace, through faith in Christ who bore our sin, so that God is both just and the justifier of the one who trusts in Jesus?