Romans 3:22: Even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference.
What does this mean to us? Again the answer is, everything! As radically corrupt sinners, we rise from helplessness to hope when we see that a righteousness exists apart from the Law. And our hope skyrockets when we see that our righteousness comes through faith. Everyone who believes will have it! The miracle of justification is possible because God’s special righteousness comes through faith. Considering the depths of our sin, there is no other way any of us could make it! 1
When I was a young preacher I thought that the grace of God had to go way down to reach the bad sinners but didn’t have to go down so far to reach others who weren’t so bad. But now I know that God’s grace has to go all the way to the bottom to get all of us. Each one of us is completely lost outside of Christ. Either you are absolutely saved in Christ, or you are completely lost outside of Christ. All of us need the righteousness of Christ. There is no difference. 2
Application
- Everyone in this world is equally a desperate sinner needing His saving grace.
- When the world cries our for equality, they are really crying for redemption. We are already equally sinners with an equal opportunity to be saved.
Prayer
Lord, open my eyes to believe Your truth with greater faith.
1. Hughes, R. K. (1991). Romans: righteousness from heaven. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
2. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Epistles (Romans 1-8) (electronic ed., Vol. 42). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
