Not Guilty

20 For no one can ever be made right in God's sight by doing what his law commands. For the more we know God's law, the clearer it becomes that we aren't obeying it. 21 But now God has shown us a different way of being right in his sight--not by obeying the law but by the way promised in the Scriptures long ago. 22 We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.
23 For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard. 24 Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins. (Romans 3:20-24, New Living Translation)

Application

The Law that Paul is talking about here is the Law that God gave to Israel in the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers & Deuteronomy). This was the Law that included the Ten Commandments and several other commandments. What Paul is saying is that if we try to know the Law we will realize that we are not obeying it. This is one of the foundations of our Christian faith. Paul says that God gave us a different way to God. That was through Jesus who took away our sins. All have sinned and we cannot live up to God. The things that is awesome is that he “declares us not guilty!” Because Jesus died on the cross we can come to Jesus even though we cannot live up to God’s standard. This puts praise in my heart. Jesus cared about us so much that he would give his life for us. That is true friendship.

Now what…?

If you have never received Jesus’ sacrifice for your sin, I would encourage you to come to him today. If you have received Jesus, I would encourage you to thank God for his love for you. He is the one who gives life and life to the full.