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 Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23for 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, 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.
Romans 3:21-26 NIV
Now, look at the Message version of these verses which is just an updated version of the verses in story form, according to the author.
21-24But in our time something new has been added. What Moses and the prophets witnessed to all those years has happened. The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.
25-26God sacrificed Jesus on the altar of the world to clear that world of sin. Having faith in him sets us in the clear. God decided on this course of action in full view of the public—to set the world in the clear with himself through the sacrifice of Jesus, finally taking care of the sins he had so patiently endured. This is not only clear, but it's now—this is current history! God sets things right. He also makes it possible for us to live in his rightness.
Romans 3:21-26 Message Bible
What we have been given from God is undeserved, unwarranted, and impossible to earn. Yet, we have still been given this wonderful opportunity! Even though everyone of us have sinned, He still gives us the chance to make things right. He did so by offering the ultimate sacrifice, the blood of his own Son on the cross.
What we can not do on our own, He makes available to us freely! So many times, people struggle with being "good enough" to accept Christ.
The Bible clearly tells us that no one is good enough. The change in our hearts comes after we accept Christ and allow Him to work in us. It does not come before we accept Him because that would be accomplished by our own efforts. That is not possible. Only God can change a man's heart.
Step 1: Accept Christ through salvation
Step 2: Allow Him to work in your life and heart
If you are interested in learning more about salvation, click on this link:
If you have already accepted Christ as your Savior, rejoice in the most wonderful gift you could have ever have been given! Thank Him for all He has done!
No comments:
Post a Comment