The purpose of the law

Believers, remember Romans 3:23 "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard." Another version says "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

Many of us read this, get reminded of our shortcomings and begin to intensify our efforts at "playing our part" in returning ourselves to His glory by keeping the Ten Commandments and doing more righteous things. But this is not the purpose for which this verse is written. It is written to show us that it is ONLY Christ's sacrifice for our sins that makes us righteous in the sight of God. See the verse in context within Romans 3:19-25 below:

"19 Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. 20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with Him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in His grace, freely makes us right in His sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood...."

Believers, let's be for the law for the purpose for which the law was given: to show that the entire world is guilty before God. We have no part to play in getting right with God save believe, and even our believing is by grace according to John 6:44 -

"No one is able to come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me attracts and draws him and gives him the desire to come to Me, and [then] I will raise him up [from the dead] at the last day."

So next time you hear "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" be reminded of God's word in the very next verse: "Yet God, in His grace, freely makes us right in His sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins."

The Holy Spirit will teach you all things.

Believe Right and you will Live Right.

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