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
In 2 Peter 3:16 we read this assessment of Paul's letters: "There are some things in them hard to understand." The wonder is that Paul is so clear! Struggling to articulate the good news of Jesus Christ—laboring to find words to express "the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God"—Paul bends human language to express what was once inexpressible: God's love for us while we are yet sinners. Human language has always been comfortable with the law's "if...then." Paul was entrusted with a different message: "because...therefore."
Like every other preacher of the gospel, like everyone else who struggles to find words that point to God's own word made flesh, Paul is an earthen vessel. He is not right about everything, and is as prone to as much eisegesis as blessed Martin Luther himself. But when it comes to the gospel, Paul saw with a clarity that renders us all his debtors.
Prayer
Enable us, heavenly father, like Paul to be gospel speakers, bearers of good news, in a world where there is so much law. Bless us with words that help our neighbors to know Christ Jesus, and him crucified. In his name. Amen.