yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

— Galatians 2:16

20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in His sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—

22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

24 and are justified by HIs grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

— Romans 3:20-24

You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.

— Galatians 5:4

And to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness

— Romans 4:5

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

Unless we understand the peril of our sin, we will not recognize our need for a Savior. Without looking to Christ for salvation, we cannot be justified before God. People often find comfort in considering themselves better than others. However, when we attempt to justify our thoughts and behavior, we fail to recognize the perfection God requires. We cannot offer God what His holiness demands. If we are not justified before God through Christ’s sacrifice, we remain rightly condemned and await the just judgment He promises.

How can we adequately express the wonder of justification through Christ? God has compassion for sinners. He understands that we are stuck in a mess of our own making without hope or a solution. But God does not leave us there. God’s own Son left heaven’s glory to endure pain, rejection, and death to pay the price our sin deserves. He rose from the grave in bold declaration of His victory over sin and death. He did that for us! By His grace, God restores us to who we were made to be in His image and enables us to live a new kind of life. He will one day return to establish His kingdom and reign forever. Christ, the intercessor, justifies believers, who remain immersed in His righteousness now and for all eternity.