Romans 3

Paul has established by this point that Jew and Gentile, alike, are guilty of Sin (3:9); that God shows no partiality (2:11). The only advantage for being a Jew was to have the very words of God (3:2). But justification (being in right standing with God) comes through faith in Christ alone whether Jew or Gentile. That’s the gist of this chapter. The Law was given so that we might know what SIN is in the eyes of God (3:20). Otherwise, how could we be guilty? But through the Law and the Prophets God revealed true righteousness—through FAITH in Jesus Christ for all who believe (3:21-22). “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law (3:28).”

Salvation is a mystery. The simplicity of becoming a Christian is unbelievable. The simplicity of staying a Christian is unbelievable. The simplicity of living as a Christian is unbelievable. It is all by FAITH! Like those snake-bitten Israelites in Number 21:4-9, sin-bitten unbelievers only need to look up and believe in God’s provided remedy—the act of looking up is believing—that’s all He said to do—and they were cured of their snake bite and we are forgiven of SIN. All we need do is, in genuine faith, believe in death and resurrection of Christ, just because God said so, and we will be born again (Jn. 3:14-16).

From that moment of re-birth we live our lives, step by step, moment by moment, trusting He will lead and guide us as we interact in love with others (Psalm 1, Romans .