Romans 3:19-26: a reflection

19Now we know that whatever things the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God. 20Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. 21But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets; 22even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction, 23for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; 24being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25whom God sent to be an atoning sacrifice through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God’s forbearance; 26to demonstrate his righteousness at this present time, that he might himself be just and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.

In this passage Paul reaches the heart of the gospel. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; no one can be justified before God by their own works. But now, apart from the law, a righteousness from God has been revealed: we are justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as an atoning sacrifice. And in this, God shows himself to be both just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus, both upholding his justice and justifying the sinner.

Notice the two great truths held together here: God is just, and God justifies the sinner. On the one hand, God is just; he does not simply overlook sin or ignore his own righteousness. On the other hand, he justifies sinners, declaring righteous those who have faith in Jesus, though they have sinned. How can he be both? Through the redemption in Christ, the atoning sacrifice, in whom sin is dealt with justly, so that God can justify the sinner without compromising his justice. He is both just and the justifier of the one who believes.

That is the wonder of the gospel: that God justifies sinners freely, by grace, through Christ, and does so justly. We are not justified by our own works, which fall short; we are justified freely by grace, through the redemption in Christ, received by faith. And this is no ignoring of sin, no compromise of God's justice; in Christ, sin is dealt with, so that God can be both just and the justifier of the one who believes. Do not try to justify yourself before God by your own works, which fall short; you are justified freely by his grace, through the redemption in Christ, received by faith. Rest in this: that God justifies the sinner who believes, freely, by grace, and does so justly, through Christ who bore your sin. You are justified not by what you have done, but by God's grace through Christ; rest in the God who is both just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus, and receive the free gift of righteousness in Christ.

Lord, in this passage Paul reaches the heart of the gospel: all have sinned and fall short of your glory, and no one can be justified by their own works; but now a righteousness from you has been revealed, and I am justified freely by your grace, through the redemption in Christ Jesus, whom you set forth as an atoning sacrifice, so that you are both just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Show me the two great truths held together here: you are just, and you justify the sinner. You do not simply overlook sin or ignore your own righteousness; yet you justify sinners who have faith in Jesus. How can you be both? Through the redemption in Christ, in whom sin is dealt with justly, so that you can justify the sinner without compromising your justice. That is the wonder of the gospel. I am not justified by my own works, which fall short; I am justified freely by grace, through the redemption in Christ, received by faith. And this is no ignoring of sin; in Christ, sin is dealt with. Keep me from trying to justify myself before you by my own works, which fall short; I am justified freely by your grace, through Christ, received by faith. Help me rest in this: that you justify the sinner who believes, freely, by grace, and justly, through Christ who bore my sin. Help me receive the free gift of righteousness in Christ, Lord, resting in you, who are both just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Thank you for justifying me freely in Christ.