Lesson 4717

(Lesson 4717 (01-03-25) Romans 3:19-20 

   “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” 

 

   In Romans 3:19-20 (NKJV), Paul explained that the law was given to make people aware of their sin, but no one can be justified (declared righteous) by obeying the law. He emphasized that all the law does is reveal that everyone is accountable to God, and it shows that no one can meet God's perfect standard through their own efforts. Obedience to the law, no matter how diligent, does not qualify anyone for the perfection required to enter heaven. The only righteousness that qualifies is the righteousness that is imputed to a person when they put their faith in Jesus Christ. This is confirmed in passages such as Romans 3:22, which states, "even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe." Also, Romans 5:1 teaches that "having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Finally, Philippians 3:9 emphasizes that righteousness comes "through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith." This righteousness is not based on works of the law, but on the completed work of Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the law perfectly on behalf of all believers. ~