Worth boasting about

What, then, can we boast about? Nothing! And what is the reason for this? Is it that we obey the Law? No, but that we believe. For we conclude that a person is put right with God only through faith, and not by doing what the Law commands. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Of course he is. (verses 27-29)

Read Romans 3:21-31

This is it! This is the essence of the New Testament. Gone is the Old Testament bondage to the Law. Gone is the responsibility to fulfil God’s Law yourself. Gone is the Jews’ right to keep their God to themselves.

Jesus came and fulfilled the Law for everyone. He was perfect where you could never be perfect. He defeated death, and so, through your faith in him, death has no hold over you. God is God of all—Jew and Gentile alike.

What then can you boast about? Nothing for yourself, but you can cry from the mountain tops that your God is almighty, your God is all-powerful, and that through his grace you are justified in his sight.

Now that’s worth shouting about!

Oh Lord, how great you are. You fulfilled the Law and defeated death, and through your resurrection I am put right in your sight. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.

by Kathy Hoopman, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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