In Romans 3-4 Paul teaches us two incredible truths. First, that we are all caught in the trap of sin. Second, that salvation is by grace and not by works.
Concerning the matter of sin, Our Journey Today brings us to one of the most famous verses in the Bible, Romans 3:23. This verse is often used in gospel presentation to point out the sinfulness of man and rightfully so. When you present the gospel don't make the mistake of majoring on heaven and minoring on sin. Man needs to clearly feel the weight and conviction of his sin to be saved. Man's true and greatest need is the forgiveness of his sin, and to gain right standing with God. As an incredible bonus, when man finds right standing with God he also gains eternal life, which means he will be going to heaven after this life. But to present the gospel in a "Don't you want to go to heaven?" sort of way is to skip the real issue.
The use of Romans 3:23 is fantastic because it states the issue of sin so clearly, but we usually isolate it when we use it and something I noticed as I read the chapter is how rich the verses around it are. Here are some things we learn.
1. The law was not designed for people to obey for salvation, but to attempt to obey, showing them their sinfulness and need for salvation (20)
2. Salvation is open to everyone and only accessible through believing (faith, trust, confidence). (22)
3. Grace is what justifies us or makes us right with God. Justification is to be "just-as-if-I'd" never sinned. (24)
4. Jesus is our propitiation. (25) This means that Jesus is our atonement with God. What does it mean to atone? It means to right a wrong. Jesus righted our wrongs on the cross. Another word we use is reconciliation. Jesus did everything needed to reconcile us to God, if we will only believe.
5. Because salvation is completely by grace and not of works man has no room to boast. (27-28).
PRAISE GOD, for so great a salvation!
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