No One Is Righteous
Scripture Reading: Romans 3:9–20 (ESV)
9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin,
10 as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one;
11 no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 in their paths are ruin and misery,
17 and the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.
20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
Paul leaves no room for exceptions. All people, regardless of background, are under the power of sin apart from Christ. The law reveals God’s standard, but it also exposes our inability to meet it.
This truth can feel heavy, but it is necessary. We cannot appreciate the good news of the gospel without first understanding the bad news of our condition. Only when we see our need can we truly receive God’s grace.
As we pray, let us humble ourselves before God, acknowledging that apart from Him we have nothing. And let us rejoice that He has made a way for us to be made righteous through Jesus Christ.
Prayer Points:
Thank God for showing you your need for His grace.
Confess any tendency to rely on your own righteousness.
Pray for others to recognize their need for a Savior.