27Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. 28For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. 29Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
1What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? 2If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Romans 3:27-4:3)
In Romans 1-3, Paul basically wants to prove one point–we are all sinners. No one stands in some special class of people. No one is spiritual on their own. No one is inherently good. No one escapes the corruption of sin.
We like to categorize and label people. “They’re good. They’re bad. They’re liberal. They’re conservative. They’re religious. They’re pagan.” And the lists go on. The Bible puts us all in one category….sinners. Some of us are culturally acceptable sinners. Some of us are blatant sinners. Some of us are subtle sinners. Some of us are self-righteous sinners. Regardless we all fall short of God’s standard of righteousness. We all have a selfish bent that seeks its own way, its own agenda, its own wants and desires.
Romans 1-3 is not the most promising or uplifting diagnosis of the human condition. It is more like a slap in the face. But there is no way to sugarcoat our problem. There is something wrong with our hearts. We have been corrupted by sin. Love of God and of others has been replaced by a love of self.
So what’s the cure? Many religious people in Paul’s day would say, “Obey the law! Just stop sinning and start living according to the rules and regulations of the law. Eat this. Don’t touch this. Rest this day. Avoid this person. Fast. Pray. Read. Memorize.” It is an appealing solution. It makes things black and white. It appeals to our pride. “I can do it.” And it almost inevitably leads to self-righteousness. “Look at what I am doing…and look at what that sinner is doing…I am obviously on a higher spiritual plane than them.”
Paul, a Pharisee of Pharisees who knew this course of action well, loudly proclaims, “No! It is not by the law that we are made right before God. It is by faith!” The focus is not to be on my works, but on God’s work…not on my righteousness, but on the righteousness of Christ. Faith is all about believing God, trusting God, depending on God, turning to God for that which I cannot obtain on my own. This is the testimony of Abraham. Abraham had nothing to boast about before God. He was a sinner like the rest of us. But he believed God. He trusted in Him. And God gave him the gift of righteousness. This is the wonder of grace.
Does this nullify the law? In other words, does this mean that we can live any way we want now? No! Faith changes us because it brings us into relationship with God. Now we seek to live righteously, not to brag before others, but to please our Savior. Love becomes our motivation not pride. This is the wonder of salvation.
Lord, thank You for saving me. Teach me how to live in Your grace.