Which Sinner are You?

Romans 3:21-31 New International Version

Righteousness Through Faith 21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in[a] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 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,[b] 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.

27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

Tuesday - May 25

Luther: “There is a difference… between sinners and sinners. Some are sinners and confess that they have sinned, but they do not desire to be made righteous. Instead, they despair and keep on sinning, so that in death they despair and in life they are slaves to the world. Others… are sinners and confess that they sin and have sinned, but they grieve about it and hate themselves for it and desire to be made righteous and constantly pray and cry to God for righteousness. These are the people of God, who bear the judgment of the cross like a yoke upon their shoulders. (Pastor Matt: Note the phrase “slaves to the world.” Some who confess their sin and receive forgiveness desire to go on sinning! They do not want Christ).