Romans 3:10–18
Can a theological position grant you special privileges in the eyes of God? According to Paul, sin is sin, and everyone will face judgment from God because of it. In fact, Paul goes further by referencing six Old Testament verses that reveal God’s assessment of the human heart.
Quoting Romans 3:10–18, “There is no righteous person, not even one; there is no one who understands, there is no one who seeks out God; they have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, there is not even one. Their throat is an open grave, with their tongues they keep deceiving; the venom of asps is under their lips; their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness; their feet are swift to shed blood, destruction and misery are in their paths, and they have not known the way of peace. There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
This assessment applies to every person, whether they have spent their entire lives in church or are nonbelievers. It is God’s verdict in judgment. We are all corrupt, self-seeking, deceitful, and filled with venom. The most severe condemnation is that we lack the fear of God.
Paul directs his message specifically to the Jews of his time who believed they had special privileges as God’s chosen people. However, the law they tried to uphold became a heavy burden. Reflect on this: even in the Bible, which is God’s revelation to us, there is condemnation for each of us.
But here’s the good news, my friends. Jesus has set us free from that burden. We are no longer bound solely by the law; instead, we live under grace. The law is perfect and true, and we are indeed called to obey it, but that’s impossible for us to achieve on our own.
As it is written, “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). Grace doesn’t mean we are exempt from the law. Grace is a precious gift that enables us to be forgiven for our sins. It requires us to repent and seek forgiveness while walking in the light.
For a devotion on Romans 3:19-20 click here.
1 Comment