Grace Free for All

Grace Free for All

Romans 3:21-24

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Our righteousness comes from God. It has nothing to do with the Old Testament Law, or with any religious rule, rite, or ritual. Each of these things puts the attention on us and what we do. As we see in the verses (19 and 20), which precede this passage, works of any kind cannot make us righteous. Paul tells us here that this righteousness apart from the Law has been manifested, or made concrete, and that it was witnessed by the Law and the Prophets.

Genesis 15:1-11, which is part of the Torah (the books of the Law) recounts God promising Abram a son. Abram believed God and God “counted it to him for righteousness.” (v6)

The prophet Hosea recorded God saying, “and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.” (Hosea 1:10)

This righteousness that comes from God is not acquired by doing anything. It is acquired by faith. Believing God is the only requirement. The gift of righteousness sits on the doorstep of every human heart. If it is left there unopened out of distrust, the great blessing it contains cannot be enjoyed.

Note also that this righteousness by faith in Jesus Christ is for everyone. The text says, “unto all and upon all who believe.” John 3:16 famously declares this when it says that God loved the world and whosoever believes gets everlasting life.

Our text goes on to tell us that it is for everyone because there is no difference. There is no difference because everyone has sinned. This is the reason that Paul makes sure to mention in Ephesians 2:13-20 that the wall that was between the Jews and the Gentiles has been taken down and we have been made one in Christ. As we read in Ephesians 4:4-6, “One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

We have all been justified (made right, given a full pardon) freely. This was done through Jesus Christ by the grace of God. (see also Ephesians 2:8-9)

Just a note about mercy and grace:

The mercy of God does not give us what we deserve. This is the forgiveness Jesus provided for us at the cross.
The grace of God gives us what we do not deserve. This is the righteousness and eternal life Jesus gave us when He rose from the dead.