Read:
Do you look at the horrible things happening in the world and wish people would be punished? Wanting justice for those who are hurt reflects God’s justice—and that’s not a bad thing. But we often forget to put ourselves on the list. We like to rank sin because it makes us feel better: “At least I’m not that bad!” That might be true compared to other people, but compared to a holy God, it doesn’t matter if you miss the target by an inch or by a mile—you still missed. And just like the worst people in history, or our neighbor down the street, we deserve God’s just punishment for our sin.
“But now God…” Paul just spent quite a few paragraphs telling us that what we do will never be enough. The law of Moses can’t save us, because in the end, we can’t perfectly keep it. We will fail. The Romans, as Gentiles (Christians who were not ethnically Jewish), were never required to follow it, though their consciences still knew right and wrong. Our consciences do, too.
“But now God…” God did what we cannot do for ourselves. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we’re forgiven. Christ took the punishment we deserve. When we believe this, we’re made right with God. Our sins are forgiven! It’s not based on what we do; it’s by grace that we’re saved, through faith. Paul later wrote in Ephesians that God did it this way so no one can boast about their own accomplishments.
“But now God.” God has done the work. Your part is simple: to believe. Have you placed your faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins? You can talk to God right now—he’s ready to listen.
Pray: Dear God, you are good and righteous and just. I have fallen short, but you love me anyway! I believe that Jesus died for me. Thank you. Amen.