Romans 3:21-26 - But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

In Romans 3:21-26, Paul reveals the glorious truth of how God's righteousness is made available to us apart from the law. All of us have sinned and fall short of God's perfect standard. None of us can earn right standing with God through our own good works or by trying to keep the law. But now, God has made a way for us to be justified - declared righteous in His sight - as a free gift of His grace. This is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrificial death on the cross. Jesus took the punishment that we deserved, satisfying God's justice and righteous anger against sin. His blood was the propitiation, the atoning sacrifice, that turns away God's wrath. God put Jesus forward to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His patience and mercy, He had previously passed over sins in former times without the full and final punishment being poured out. But at the cross, God showed His justice and righteousness in dealing with sin once and for all. The amazing result is that God is both just (in punishing sin) and the justifier (the one who declares righteous) those who put their faith in Jesus. We can never earn this righteous standing before God - it is a gift to be received by faith. What incredible news this is! We don't have to hopelessly strive to work our way to God. Instead, we can put our faith in Christ and be freely justified by grace. God's righteous justice was satisfied at the cross, so that in His love He could extend mercy and justification to us. Truly, our God is both just and the justifier, perfectly righteous and abounding in steadfast love. Let us rejoice in this gospel and humbly receive the gift of being declared righteous in God's sight by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

As we reflect on the incredible truths of Romans 3:21-26, we are confronted with both the bad news and the gloriously good news. The bad news is that we have all sinned and fallen short of God's righteous standard. No matter how hard we try to be good, keep the rules, or earn God's favor, we will always miss the mark. Our sin separates us from a holy God and we stand condemned, deserving of judgment. But in this passage, the good news of the gospel shines through with brilliant clarity. God, in His great love and mercy, has made a way for us to be justified - declared righteous in His sight - apart from the law and our own works. He sent His Son Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins, satisfying His justice and righteous wrath against sin. Through faith in Christ, we can receive this justification as a free gift of grace. What an amazing truth! We don't have to earn it or deserve it. We simply believe and receive by faith. But this passage also highlights God's righteousness and justice. God doesn't just sweep sin under the rug or ignore it. His righteous nature demands that sin be dealt with. In His forbearance, He had previously passed over sins. But at the cross, God fully demonstrated His justice and righteousness in punishing sin. Jesus bore the full weight of that punishment on our behalf. He took the judgment we deserved. And in doing so, God upheld His justice while at the same time extending justification to those who believe. He is both just and the justifier. This truth should fill us with incredible hope and humility. We recognize that we could never stand before a righteous God on our own merits. But we rejoice that He has provided the way for us to be made right with Him by grace through faith. It is truly amazing love - that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). We don't have to live with the crushing burden of trying to work our way to God. We can rest in the finished work of Christ on our behalf. At the same time, this passage should inspire us to live in a manner worthy of the gospel. We have been justified by faith, but that faith should produce a life that progressively reflects God's righteousness. Not to earn His favor, but out of gratitude for the gift we've been given. We are now called to pursue holiness and righteousness, knowing that our standing before God is secure in Christ. May we marinate in the incredible truths of Romans 3:21-26. May we humbly acknowledge our sinfulness and inability to earn God's favor. May we rejoice in the good news that we can be justified freely by His grace through faith in Christ. May we stand in awe of God's perfect justice and righteousness, and how He has upheld them while extending mercy to us. And may our lives be forever changed as we live in light of this glorious gospel, seeking to honor the One who has declared us righteous by grace through faith.

Righteous God, we come before You with humble and grateful hearts. We acknowledge our sinfulness and that we have fallen short of Your glory. None of us can stand before You on our own merits. But we thank You that in Your great love and mercy, You have provided a way for us to be justified freely by Your grace. Thank You for sending Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Thank You that He took the punishment we deserved, satisfying Your justice and righteous wrath against sin. Thank You that through faith in Him, we can be declared righteous in Your sight. What an amazing gift! God, we praise You for being both just and the justifier. You have upheld Your righteousness while extending grace to us. May we never lose sight of the magnitude of what Christ has done for us. May we live with deep gratitude for the gift of justification we have received by faith. Help us to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel. May our lives progressively reflect Your righteousness, not to earn favor, but out of love and gratitude. Strengthen us to pursue holiness and resist sin, knowing that our standing before You is secure in Christ. Thank You that because of Jesus, we can have peace with You. We don't have to strive endlessly, but we can rest in His finished work. May the glorious truths of the gospel forever change us. We pray all this in the name of Jesus, our righteous Savior, Amen.