What Does Romans 3:21 Mean?

But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

Romans 3:21(NASB)

Verse of the Day

There are many places throughout Scripture where we are informed of the righteousness of God. God is holy, and God is perfect, God is pure and God is righteous. God desires that we too are righteous, and Scripture testifies of this fact from start to finish.

Before the full and final revelation of God's righteousness was revealed through the Gospels and made manifest in the face of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Bible testified of God's perfect righteousness in many ways. God demonstrated His righteousness in the garden when He judged sin, and the flood of Noah gave witness to the righteous requirements of our Creator God.

The Law given through Moses and the statutes and ordinances of the Lord are righteous altogether. The decrees of God stand fast for ever and ever, and God appealed for righteousness through the mouth of His holy prophets.

But now, apart from the Law and the appeal of the prophets, the new, unique, and perfect righteous of the Lord Jesus can be imputed to the unrighteous sinner, by faith. The Law gave witness of righteousness but could not provide righteousness, for it is only by grace through faith in Christ alone, that a guilty sinner can be declared righteous. 

From our viewpoint in history, we see how the Law and the prophets pointed us towards Jesus Whose righteousness would pay for the sin of the world, and we can look back in time to the pivotal moment on the Cross, when the righteous blood of Jesus was shed for you and for me. And all who believe on His name, are reckoned righteous, the results of which are spoken of by Isaiah: 

"The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever."

Let us quietly and confidently walk in the world today, telling all around us of the righteousness only found in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

My Prayer

Father, thank You that I have been justified and made righteous through the Lord Jesus. There is no righteousness in me, and that there is nothing that I can do to merit Your forgiveness, other than trusting in Jesus Christ my Saviour. Praise Your holy name, AMEN.

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