Today’s devotion comes from Romans 3:21-26.
“21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;
26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:21-26.
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“The righteousness of God” is the subject of today’s Scripture and this devotion: “His righteousness”. We tend to rush into thinking about our righteousness which is the subject of much of the following Scripture in the Books of Romans, and yes, it is credited to us, but let us first meditate on “the righteousness of God”.
First, we read that “the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets”. Who can list all the righteous acts of God? But, we can conclude: “Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; Your judgments are like a great deep. O LORD, You preserve man and beast.” Psalm 36:6.
Our righteousness was certainly not manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets”. Just the opposite, the preceding Scripture of Romans 3:10-18 details “Total Depravity” of man, and the next two verses conclude: “Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.” The Law and the Prophets manifest the unrighteousness of man.
Second, “even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe”, reminds of Scripture like Numbers 21:7-9. “So the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD and you; intercede with the LORD, that He may remove the serpents from us.” And Moses interceded for the people. Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he will live.” And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived.”
Third, “This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed” reminds us of Passover such as in Exodus 12:11-13. “Now you shall eat it in this manner: with your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste—it is the LORD’S Passover. For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments—I am the LORD. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.”
Fourth, “for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” reminds us of the justice of God. God did not just overlook or forgive sins without paying the price of that gift of justification; that would not be just. The just and very costly price of that gift of justification was the blood of His beloved Son Jesus Christ.
“The righteousness of God” is “His righteousness”. “Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:23-24.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 