Romans 3: 20-26

In our text the bible says that we have all sinned.  How many of you understand that we all have one thing in common and that one thing is sin?  We were all born into sin.  We are all falling short of the glory of God.  What does this mean?  It means that no one can reach God’s standard of absolute moral perfection and be worthy of His glory on their own.  The law shows us that.  The law cannot justify us.  This is why Paul said that the righteousness of God has been revealed independently and altogether apart from the law.  Why?  The law cannot help us.  The law cannot help believers.  The law helps unbelievers realize that they need some help.

When talking about righteousness the word justification is usually mentioned.  Everyone say justification.  We are either justified by faith or not at all.  Many have said that justification means “just as if I had never sinned”. 

Verse 20 ²⁰For no person will be justified (made righteous, acquitted, and judged acceptable) in His sight by observing the works prescribed by the Law. For [the real function of] the Law is to make men recognize and be conscious of sin [ ‡1 not mere perception, but an acquaintance with sin which works toward repentance, faith, and holy character].

The word justified means that we have been declared righteous.  In other words, we are righteous for no other reason than God has declared us righteous.  We are not righteous because we did everything right this week.  We are not righteous because we read our bible this week.  We are not righteous because we went to church this week.

Some people believe they are righteous because they do good things.  If I pray enough I will be righteous.  If I fast enough I will be righteous.  If I do enough good deeds I will become righteous.  We don’t do these things to become righteous, but we do these things because we have already been declared righteous.  Do not fall into the trap of trying to establish your own righteousness? 

Verses 21-22 But now the righteousness of God has been revealed independently and altogether apart from the Law, although actually it is attested by the Law and the Prophets, ²²Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah). [And it is meant] for all who believe. For there is no distinction,

Righteousness by faith is like being born into a family.  I am Chad Dingess based on my family’s declaration.  I did not have to do anything to become a part of the Dingess family.  My parents simply named me Chad Dingess.  If this makes since then it will be a lot easier for us to understand the righteousness that God has provided through His son Jesus. 

This is what happens when we are born again.  When we realize our need for a savior and we ask Jesus to forgive us we are born again.  When we are born again, we are declared righteous and made members of the family of God.  Jesus told Nicodemus that he had to be born again.  When we are born again we do not receive instructions on how to become righteous.  Why?  They are not necessary.  We are born again and declared righteous by the word through faith and belief in Jesus Christ. 

All that is needed to be a sinner is to be born. 

Psalm 51: 5 Behold, I was brought forth in [a state of] iniquity; my mother was sinful who conceived me [and I too am sinful].

David identifies the from-birth propensity toward sin of all humanity.  You don’t have to teach anyone how to sin.  Sin is our birthright.  Lying, stealing, cheating, etc…are all a part of our birthright as sinners.  Some Christians criticize sinners for sinning.  What are sinners supposed to do?  Sinners are supposed to sin.   

Romans 5: 12 Therefore, as sin came into the world through one man, and death as the result of sin, so death spread to all men, [ ‡8 no one being able to stop it or to escape its power] because all men sinned.

All that is needed to be the righteousness of God is to be born again.  Righteousness is our birthright.  It does not mean that we have become mature believers, but it does mean that we have been put in right standing with God. 

The reason we come to church, pray, fast and read the word is to develop our faith.  It is to mature in our walk with God.