This week’s series of blog posts have been created from Mark’s notes rather than a transcript of the sermon. This hopefully will give you additional insight into the passage. You can download Mark’s sermon notes below.
Monday, December 9’s devotional. God’s righteousness is unlike anything we can achieve on our own. In Romans 3:21, Paul declares, “But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, attested by the Law and the Prophets.” This divine righteousness is not based on our performance or adherence to rules but is a gift rooted in God’s perfect character. As Mark Penrith puts it, “God’s righteousness has been revealed apart from the Law, which was necessary because the Law condemns everyone but Jesus can save anyone.”
The Law, though good and holy, can only show us how far we fall short. We cannot achieve righteousness through our own works because “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Mark explains that this universal guilt leaves us hopeless on our own: “Why is it necessary for God’s righteousness to be revealed apart from the Law? Because the Law can only condemn.” But God, in His mercy, provides a solution through Jesus Christ.
God’s righteousness is revealed through Jesus’ sacrificial death. He is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies, the one attested by “the Law and the Prophets” (Romans 3:21). This truth resonates with the belief of Benoni Baptist Church: “The whole company of those who have been redeemed by Jesus Christ and regenerated by the Holy Spirit” forms the true Church. We receive this gift not by striving, but by believing.
Faith, not works, is the key. “The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Romans 3:22). Mark emphasizes, “Because God’s standard is perfection, and because we can never attain it, justification can only be by faith alone resting in the Person and finished Work of Jesus.” This aligns with our covenant commitment to “live according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh.”
When we embrace this truth, it transforms our understanding of salvation. No longer do we try to earn God’s favor or fear His wrath. Instead, we rejoice in the freedom of His grace. As Mark reminds us, “We are saved by grace alone, through God’s kind, gracious, and free initiative.”
God’s righteousness is a gift—one we receive with humility and gratitude. Let this truth shape your life today. Remember, as our church covenant says, we are “joined together with other like-minded believers” in a community defined by grace, not works.
Reflection Question: How does understanding God’s righteousness as a gift change your view of salvation?
Prayer: Lord, thank You for revealing Your righteousness through Jesus. Help me rest in the gift of Your grace and live in joyful obedience. Amen.
This devotional content is not penned by the preacher. It is derived from the sermon notes. We aim to provide bite-sized reflections throughout the week for devotion and reflection.