Daily Devotion - Romans 3:19-20 - Understanding the Law and Christ's Sacrifice
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by life’s demands? It’s easy to feel hopeless and helpless when we try to navigate the complexities of existence without the right tools. In Romans 3:19-20, we find a powerful reminder of why God gave us His Law and how it guides us towards understanding our need for His grace and salvation through Jesus Christ.
Scriptural Context
The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 3:19-20 (ESV): 19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
These words serve as a sobering reminder that the Law was never merely a checklist of do's and don’ts. It was given to highlight our shortcomings and reflect God’s standards of holiness. Despite our best efforts, none of us can live up to these benchmarks.
The Purpose of the Law
The old testament law was given to the Jewish people to remind them of their dependence on God as well as be a poignant example of their shortcomings. Jewish practitioners followed this law vigorously, often to the determent of their relationship with God. This is much like we see of the behavior of 21st century Christians in how they practice worship, and follow Christ. They might not be following old testament law, but don't try and take their hymns away or tell them they should try something new in church. The law, and thus our customs, are not meant to be a stumbling block that keeps ups prisoned by guilt, rather it should represent 3 things in our walk with the Lord.
- Exposure of Sin: The Law acts as a mirror reflecting our imperfections. It shows us just how far we fall short of God’s holiness.
- Judgment: Understanding the Law brings us face-to-face with our need for judgment; it reveals that without divine intervention, we stand condemned.
- Awareness: The more we study the Law, the more aware we become of our inability to fulfill it, leading us to a deeper reliance on God.
Finding Hope in Helplessness
As we grasp that we cannot achieve righteousness on our own, we may initially feel hopeless. But here comes the twist—God didn’t leave us in this state of despair. In a dramatic act of love, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save us.
- The Ultimate Sacrifice: God took on flesh, lived a sinless life, and became the perfect sacrifice for our sins. His life and death accomplished what we could never achieve by obeying the Law.
- Victory Over Sin: Jesus rendered our past, present, and future sins powerless. He not only bore our transgressions but also triumphed over death, offering us a means to be right with God.
- Fulfillment of the Law: When Jesus stated, “It is finished,” He declared that every requirement of the Law was fulfilled. Through Him, we are no longer judged by our failures but by His righteousness.
Living in the Light of Christ’s Sacrifice
You may be asking yourself, “How does this translate into my daily life?” The truth is, understanding our righteousness through faith in Christ transforms how we approach God and living out our faith. Here are a few key takeaways:
- Stop Striving: If you find yourself caught in a cycle of trying to earn God’s approval through good deeds, take a step back. Your worth is not dictated by your actions but by Christ’s sacrifice.
- Embrace Grace: Accepting God’s grace means recognizing that you don’t have to be perfect to be loved by Him. This realization can free you to live authentically and joyfully.
- Seek Transformation: Rather than striving to follow the Law legally, focus on letting Christ transform your heart. This relationship with Him brings about genuine obedience inspired by love rather than duty.
The Hope and Help We Have in Christ
While the Law is instrumental in showing us our need for God, let us never forget the hope we have in Christ Jesus, who came to fulfill the law, and be our sacrificial lamb. Through Him, we can approach God with confidence, knowing our sins are forgiven, and we are granted eternal life in Him. So, how do we navigate those heavy-hearted days when we feel trapped in hopelessness or helplessness? We set our eyes upon the cross!
Prayer
"Dear Lord, thank You for revealing the truth of Your Law in my life. Help me to embrace the grace that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Teach me not to strive for righteousness through my own efforts but to rest in Your loving sacrifice. May I find joy in obedience, knowing that I am covered by Your grace. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen."
