8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

— Ephesians 2:8-9

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,

25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over former sins.

26 It was to show His righteousness at the present time, so that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

— Romans 3:23-26

So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.

— Romans 9:16

He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.

— 2 Timothy 1:9

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and salvation from Christ to you.

The study of the book of Romans has the potential to transform thinking, anchor belief, and to reorder life’s priorities. Throughout history, people have tried to earn God’s favor but have universally fallen short. While comparing ourselves to others may provide a false sense of security, human efforts can never satisfy God’s perfect righteous standard. Paul in Romans reveals the truth about our brokenness and God’s solution. Whether new to Scripture or a seasoned Bible student, we all will benefit from studying the profound truths about salvation and righteousness in the book of Romans.

Christ took the legal penalty of human sin upon Himself on the cross, satisfying divine justice so that God can be both just and the justifier of those who believe. Christ’s sacrifice makes His righteousness available to sinners and changes everything about believers’ life now and forever. Christ’s sacrifice legally and spiritually removes the barrier of sin between the holy God and humanity, justifying us with His perfect righteousness, regenerating us, and transforming believers to be like Him, God our Father.