January 31 Click on verses for Full Scripture	previous - - - - - - - - - - next
Today's Pathway: Romans 3:21-23 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Yesterday Paul went to great lengths to show that the law, and with it the concept of "doing good works", could never save anyone. This raises the question: if the Law isn't the answer, then what IS the answer? Paul now begins to show how the solution to the sin problem is found in Jesus.

First, Paul states in verse 21 that the fact that man can obtain righteousness apart from the law is taught in the Old Testament. The Jews seemed to be under the impression that this idea of justification by faith was a new concept that contradicted the Old Testament. Paul wants them to see that faith has always been God's method for reconciling the unbeliever to Himself. Several examples can be given. In Genesis 15:6 it is said that Abraham "believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness." Paul quotes that verse in Romans 4:3 as proof that Abraham was justified by faith. It is important to note that Abraham could not have been justified by the Law because the Law had not yet been written when he received righteousness from the Lord. In Romans 4:6-8, Paul quotes David in Psalm 32 as being justified apart from works. In Isaiah 53:11 the Bible says that God would be satisfied because Jesus would "bear their iniquities". So, passages from the Law (Genesis), the Writings (Psalms), and the Prophets (Isaiah) all taught that the righteousness that was necessary for salvation did not, and could not, come from the Law.

Next, Paul shows that this righteousness is found by faith in Jesus Christ. It is based upon belief, not a system of "do's and dont's". He also shows that it is available to all. If the Jewish view of the Law was correct then there could be no salvation for the Gentile. But Paul writes that there is no difference between the Jew and the Gentile because "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." When we use the Romans Road to share the Gospel, Romans 3:23 is normally our starting point. We do that because all mankind needs to realize that they are sinners and that they do not measure up to God's standard of absolute perfection. From a strictly human perspective, some people may seem to be "better" than others. But all fall short of the mark. I have illustrated it this way in the past: If I were to jump up in the air, my feet would only be a few inches above the ground. Some athletes might be able to get several feet above the ground. The current official record in the high jump is slightly over 8 feet. So, different people can achieve different heights. But no one can jump over a house, or an apartment building. The same is true of sin. Some people may not commit some of the heinous crimes that other people do. Some may be considered moral and "pillars of the community". But none are perfect, and thus all need a Savior.

Once someone has failed to achieve God's standard, he or she can never do enough good works to get back to the standard. Therefore, all people need "the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ."