Romans 3:23-27
New International Version
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[a] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
Thursday - November 4
When someone makes you a promise, what makes that person righteous, true, or faithful? The keeping of the promise! Some people will say, “My word is my bond.” They are claiming to be right, true, just, and faithful to their word. You can put your faith in them! Well, that is what God has done! As Paul said, Jesus came to die for you and me to “show his (God’s) righteousness… so that he (God) might be just (right, true) and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Rom. 3:26). The Greek word “dikaios” is the word for both righteousness and justification. In other words, God wants to be found right, true, just and faithful to HIS WORD of the promise! God made a promise and God means to keep it. His WORD is His bond. God has shown Himself to be faithful in Jesus Christ, the Word of God, and now God declares US righteous and just when we cling to Jesus in faith. Why? Because faith in Jesus is true worship. Faith in God’s Word is a declaration that God alone is right, true, and faithful. God promised you mercy and will keep it!