We all miss the mark
by Stuart Gray
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Therefore no-one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin (Romans 3:20).
Read Romans 3:9–20
I like to think I am a reasonably good person. I try to do the ‘right’ thing. I contribute time and effort freely to my family, friends, community and church. I know my weaknesses and vulnerabilities, but overall …!
Not so, says Paul. While writing to the Romans, he is also speaking to me. My assessment of myself is by human standards; Paul judges by God’s standard.
This is a devastating passage. Paul makes no bones about it; we are all sinful and cannot be in relationship with God by our own efforts. Not only are we sinful, but we ‘are under sin’ (verse 9), under the power and guilt of sin.
Paul then goes on to quote Old Testament passages, mainly from the Psalms and Isaiah, which poetically but graphically describe the condition of humankind (verses 13 to 18):
‘Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practise deceit.’
‘The poison of vipers is on their lips.’
‘Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.’
‘Their feet are swift to shed blood;
ruin and misery mark their ways,
and the way of peace they do not know.’
‘There is no fear of God before their eyes.’
This passage by itself would leave us with no hope. But what Paul is doing is making us face the reality that by our own efforts, we well and truly miss the standards God has set for us; therefore, we cannot be in relationship with God. If we don’t face this reality, we will have trouble accepting what Paul covers in tomorrow’s devotion. Paul is setting the stage to reveal the good news of God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ.
The law does not make us righteous; it exposes sin and stops self-justification. No-one can earn a right standing before God through obedience to the law alone.
Thankfully, we know this is not the end of the story, and over the next few days, we will explore how Paul powerfully introduces how we can be in relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father, give us the humility to recognise that we cannot come to you through the law or by our own efforts. Grant us the faith to know that by your grace, we can be in a right relationship with you through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Stuart is retired and, with his wife Pamela Dalgliesh, lives in Mansfield, Victoria. Stuart has a background in agricultural science, rural journalism and corporate affairs. He now loves living a peaceful life on a small farm in the beautiful High Country of Victoria. He mentors learner drivers and is a Red Cross Patient Transport driver. Stuart is also involved in the Mansfield Anglican church and the Mansfield community.
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