I knew a young man in my college days who was convinced that the way of salvation was not open to Him. He had sinned in some apparently major way (or perhaps only in his mind) – the truth is it really doesn’t matter – I don’t think he actually told me. Either way, he was despondent and utterly convinced that somehow, he was a special case and that the way of salvation was not open to him.
Everyone else, maybe. Just not him.
And into this despondent thought we read Romans 3:21 – 23…
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (ESV)
There is no distinction. Here is Paul saying that the gift of righteousness is open to everyone WHO BELIEVES without distinction. Some of us will be slightly more wicked than others. But all of us will be ungodly (Romans 4:5). And yet, the righteousness of God is available to all through faith in Jesus.
Here is a verse to hold on to if you are tempted to think that you are one of those who has gone a bridge too far. That’s impossible. In God’s eyes, we are all tainted with sin. In God’s eyes we all stand in need of His Son.
In God’s eyes…there is no distinction.
For tomorrow, March 25th: Romans 4
Entrusted with the Gospel 