Righteousness That Comes From Heaven!

Romans 1:1-7 New International Version

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life[a] was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power[b] by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from[c] faith for his name’s sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. 7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Monday - April 26

Luther: “The purpose of [Paul’s letter to the Romans] is to break down down, to pluck up, and to destroy all wisdom and righteousness of the flesh… No matter whether these works are done with a sincere heart and mind, this letter is to affirm and state and magnify sin, no matter how much someone insists that it does not exist… God does not want to redeem us through our [own works], but through external righteousness and wisdom; not through [righteousness] that comes from us and grows in us, but through one that comes from the outside; not that originates here on earth, but through one that comes from heaven. Therefore, we must be taught a righteousness that comes completely from the outside and is foreign.” (Righteousness = the state of being just, a relationship in good standing).