Romans 3:21-22
"But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference..."
We thank God because His righteousness is given to everyone who believes and it makes no difference because of who they are. The purpose of the law is for us to know our sins, but cannot save us from them. That's why salvation from God is so precious, for He knew that we cannot be justified by our own actions. He is prepared salvation for us so that the righteousness of God can be revealed apart from the law. Why apart from the law? Because according to the law, we are all sinners who ought to stand trial without exception. Therefore, God needed to first release us from the authority and bondage of the law, and then we can be given God's grace.
How did God set us apart from the law? By letting our Savior Lord Jesus Christ, who is free of sin, take on the penalty from God for our sins. Just like in the judicial system where we are supposed to be condemned because of our sins, someone went up to the judge and told him, "I'm willing to take on all the penalties for him." Suddenly I am set free; I no longer owe any debt of sin and bound by the authority of law, all because Jesus had born my sins on my behalf on the cross. That's the wonder of salvation, for it sets us apart from the authority of law. So how do we receive such grace? Verse 22 says that "God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." To believe is to accept; if I go to your house and knock on your door, you open the door and see Pastor Tong and you will welcome me in. In the same way, the Bible says that the Lord is knocking on the door of your heart. This scripture passage wasn't speaking to the non-believers, but to the church of Laodicea. To those who already accepted the Lord, God has all kinds of grace for us to receive, and all we need to do is to say to the Lord, "I welcome you and I am willing to accept all the grace from you!"
God's love for us is equally precious for everyone and has no difference. God doesn't love someone more because he's Jewish or he's rich. God likes to give His grace to everyone in the world; no matter what ethnic group or social class we belong do, as long as we come before Him just as we are, He's glad to give us His grace. Do you need to be covered by the precious blood of the Lord? This may be the time for you to once again come before God and proclaim that He is Lord, and the power of His precious blood will come upon you.
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