Devotion:
Read Romans 3:21-24.
Throughout this week, we have examined Scriptures that point out the costs of being a disciple of Jesus Christ and that call us to take being disciples very seriously. In today’s passage, we read just how it is that we are seen as righteous by God. We are treated as if righteous because of our faith in Christ. In other words, we are not righteous because we are good enough. In fact, verse 23 underscores that all of us sin and fall short. We simply cannot save ourselves. This passage, along with a number of others, makes it clear that we cannot do enough good works to earn our salvation, and we do not need to do that. God gives us our righteousness because of our faith in Christ. Sometimes, because our righteousness is given and not earned, it is referred to as “imputed” righteousness.
Verse 24 says we are justified or treated as if innocent freely because of the redemption that came by Christ. Redemption in Paul’s day was often used in the context of paying for the freedom of a slave, thereby redeeming the enslaved person and setting them free. Jesus Christ did that when he died on the cross for our sins, paying the awesome price of his life in order that we might be free. Now THAT is love, that is grace...amazing grace!
Personal Worship Option:
Give thanks today for God’s love, love so incredible that God sent His one and only Son into the world that we might be free. Think just how precious we must be in God’s eyes for God to do that for us. This is love we will never fully comprehend, but we can believe, trust, and accept it with grateful hearts.
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