Romans 3:21-31 (NIV)Righteousness Through Faith21 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, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace t...  Read More

“Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.” - Romans 3:19This may seem like an odd illustration, but consider this: Let’s say that you are under water and you can’t breathe. Is there any reason to boast that you are drowning in only two feet of water as opposed to ten feet? Does i...  Read More

“Circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.” - Romans 2:29 Every great once in a while, I get a phone call from someone I don’t know who will ask, “Would you do my baby?” And by “do,” I am quickly able to discern that they are asking if I would baptize their baby. Contrary to what you might think...  Read More

“Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” - Romans 2:4Having just put before us some very hard truths in Romans 1, we might think that Paul would take his foot off the gas. Instead, he drives headlong into reminding us that we all fall short of the glory of God by way of passing judgment...  Read More

“Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.” - Romans 1:22-23Last week, we ended by hearing the wonderful news that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus is justified by faith. But instead of continuing in that theme, Paul takes a moment to remind us...  Read More

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”Paul’s words in Romans 1:16-17 are not merely a burst of “rah-rah” enthusiasm; t...  Read More