First Christian Church

By Bruce Humes

Pastor

In Romans 3:19, the apostle Paul writes, “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” Those under the law were the Israelites, it was given to them on Mount Sinai by God through Moses after they departed Egypt. The instructions from God, known as the Pentateuch or the Torah, which contains the Ten Commandments, was given as a code of moral conduct and ceremonial laws for the Jews to live by. God, in his sovereignty, gave the written law to the Israelites, and that same written law was in the heart (soul) and the conscience of man (Romans 2:15) leaving neither Jew or gentile with an excuse.

Not only did God write it down for us, but he wrote in our hearts and minds, revealing to us just how unrighteous and sinful we are. But, Paul continues in verses 22-23 telling us that, “even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

So how do we get right with God? Verse 24 tells us, “being justified (seen as righteous, or as if we had never sinned) freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

In John 6:29, Jesus made this statement in answer to a question asked by the disciples, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him (Jesus) whom He (God) sent.” Thus a clear answer to the age old question of eternal redemption.

In a time of great uncertainty, chaos, civil unrest, lawlessness, and ungodliness we must remember that none of us are without sin. We are all guilty according to God, and no redemption or justification will come from a political party or government system, any military or police force. Redemption and justification comes to those who believe in Christ Jesus.