Our scripture this morning is Romans 3:25-26 (NLT).
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. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
The words of Romans 3:23 are probably more familiar to us, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” This is our guilty charge and there is no way we can work ourselves free. While we need to remember this, it should not be our life focus.
Paul tells us of the wonderful gift of forgiveness we have received in Christ, saying “People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.” We are no longer slaves to sin and death, He has made a way for us to be redeemed.
The gift is given to us freely but there are responsibilities expected of the forgiven children of God: we are to share the blessing we have received, making disciples of everyone. We go in His name to share His love.
Gracious God, we are in awe of the sacrifice You have made for us. Now we see the blessing of our redemption. Send us to all Your children that they may hear the Good News. Amen.
