²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵ whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. ²⁶ It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 3:23-26

I remember hearing that first verse quoted so many times. Yes, all have sinned.

Yes, all fall short of God’s glory but who left out the comma! Not Paul!

As I’ve roamed through the exposition of our sin state in the previous verses, seeing the depravity we had become without Him, and the righteous wrath of God that displays because of sin. Now, we read these sweet words: the righteousness of God has been manifiested apart from the law…. through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.

A friend posted on her facebook page a questions, “What has your faith cost you recently?” As I mull this over it just makes me think of the great sacrifice of our Lord Jesus that we see here in these scriptures.

Paul didnt leave out the comma! Thank God. Romans 3:23-24 for all have sinned and falled short of the glory of God(, <—that comma ) and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵ whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.

When I read this I see three major words that we need to understand:

Justified – the act by which God moves a willing person from the state of sin (injustice) to the state of grace (justice) – you have to recieve the gift freely. Its not cheap or discounted. It’s free. You can’t earn it or pay for it. Its free. Are you willing to be justified?

Redemption –the purchase of God’s favor by the death and sufferings of Christ; the ransom or deliverance of sinners from the bondage of sin and the penalties of God’s violated law by the atonement of Christ. This was done for you at a great cost. A payment for sin was paid. A ransom was given for your release. We were bought for a price! For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s (1 Corinthians 6:20). He paid your ransom price and redeemed you out of sin.

We have been redeemed! What does that even mean? I think of it like this: I was a trafficked victim of sin and Jesus paid off sin to save me from slavery!

Propitiation – the atonement or atoning sacrifice offered to God to assuage or to satisfy wrath and render him propitious or gracious toward sinners. His blood was given in place of ours. He was judged in our place. He took our place.

At the cross of Jesus Christ, He made us not guilty, released from sins grip, and He paid for it all with His life.

CAN I GET AN AMEN!!??

Back to the question from my friend: What has your faith cost you?

Thanks for listening,

Starla