DCLM Higher Everyday 14 August 2024 — Righteousness By Faith
DCLM Higher Everyday 14 August 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Righteousness By Faith
Topic: Righteousness By Faith
Text: Romans 3:21-31
21But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
27Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
28Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
29Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
30Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
31Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Key Verse: “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” (Romans 3:22).
Message
In the words of Martin Luther, “When God’s righteousness is mentioned in the gospel, it is God’s action of declaring righteous the unrighteous sinner who has faith in Jesus Christ. The righteousness by which a person is justified (declared righteous) is not his own but that of another, Christ.” Our text today is the pivotal point in the book of Romans. It is a major moment of transition from human sinfulness to God’s grace, forgiveness and redemption in Jesus Christ. Righteousness is the nature of God in man through faith. It is our right standing with God by faith. Our salvation comes as a gift of God’s grace and is appropriated by the response of faith.
Faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour is the only condition God requires for salvation. This faith commences at the point a youth realizes his helpless, sinful state and the urgent need for the Saviour. When we become saved, after a simple prayer of faith, we become justified and redeemed through the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
Quote: Our right standing with God
Challenge: Our righteousness begins with faith in Christ Jesus.
Prayer for today: Father, help me to obtain your righteousness, in Jesus’ name.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
