How on earth is righteousnes a gift? Righteousness is something we become every day through our good choices, our right actions and so much more. It’s audacious to think that righteousness is a gift!
And yet… it is.
The problem is that our perceived idea of rigrighteousness is based on others around us. How righteous are we compared to them? We think of slimy politicians or greedy business owners and somehow believe our righteousness is better. But it doesn’t matter. The only question is this:
How righteous are you compared to God, maker of heaven and earth, Creator of the Universe?
If we make that comparison, we find ourselves woefully short. And that’s the point.
God gave Abraham a promise of righteousness to come. Moses came afterwards and gave us the Law. The Law was preparation to show the need for a Savior. How?
through the law we become conscious of our sin (Romans 3:20).
If a Savior just came to the world, and we were not shown the need for the Savior, we wouldn’t receive it. Just like if we go to a doctor, and he prescribed chemotherapy and radiation, but we don’t believe we have cancer, there is no way we would take it.
But if we do see the need for our Savior, we are more open to receive Him. Just as if we are shown x-rays and scans that show a terrible disease, we are more open to the cure.
The Law showed us our sin. It shows our inability to keep the Law. And it teaches us about God’s righteous laws and decrees.
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
Can you imagine the shock of the Jewish people? That there’s a righteousness separate from the Law? That statement alone could have sent some stones flying.
But Paul continues. Righteousness becomes a gift because we cannot earn righteousness through our own good works.
Righteousness was able to be given by God not just arbitrarily, but because our sins were taken care of on the cross. Jesus paid them.
God’ justice was served. Our sins were paid for at the cross.
God’s love was served. He was the one who justified us. He is the one who intiated the payment for our sins at the cross.
God did it all. We are horrible sinners. God has every right to destroy us all. But his justice was never compromised. And instead he reached out in love and mercy, paying the price of death for our sins on our behalf, so that we could be made righteous.
So can we boast then? Not at all. Only in Jesus Christ who paid for our sins.
Can Jews boast over Gentiles? No. They have a special place with God, but when it comes to righteousness, both jews and Gentiles alike are justified by faith.
Does this mean the Law is cancelled? No. Rather, we uphold the Law.
And what is the basis of that Law?
To love one another in the boundaries truth.