Romans 3:19-28 (NRSV)
Read Romans 3:19-28 on biblegateway.com
Verse 19Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. Verse 20For "no human being will be justified in his sight" by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. Verse 21But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, Verse 22the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, Verse 23since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; Verse 24they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Verse 25whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; Verse 26it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus. Verse 27Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. Verse 28For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.
Devotion
Jeremiah is right! The psalmist is right! Paul is right!
Thus says the LORD: “I will put my law within them ... ” (Jer 31:31-34). “Be still and know that I am God!” (Ps 46:10). “Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God” (Rom 3:19).
God’s writing the law in our hearts initiates the new covenant by silencing our mouths (death) so we may hear God’s life-giving words that produce the new creation (resurrection): Through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, God has passed over sins previously committed, proving his righteousness.
We no longer remain silent! We have life-giving words to proclaim! All shall know me, says the LORD, for I will forgive their sin.
Prayer
God of the spoken word, speak to us that we may speak. Amen.