He did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time. (Rom. 3:26)
Expanded Passage: Romans 3:1-8; 21-26
In order to understand the depravity, hopelessness, and separation produced by sin, one needs to have something to measure it against. In the same way that we wouldn’t know light if we didn’t have darkness, or what cold is without heat, or love without hate, we wouldn’t know what sin is if we didn’t have the law. Without justice, or the administration of the law, we wouldn’t know what sin is. Without God’s justice, the law would be, at best, a list of suggestions.
God’s ability to enforce his law is what gives it power. God has the wherewithal to judge each one of us. However, although God has the power to condemn us, he doesn’t want to! Though our punishment is clear, God’s grand plan of salvation is to both save us from that punishment and to restore us to a relationship with him. He so desires to enter into a relationship with us that he pronounced that all who faithfully ask— based on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ—are acquitted of their sin.
According to Paul, we have been given a window of time in which to repent. God has allowed a literal grace period, a time during which his judgment is delayed so we can receive his pardon. What should your response be to this graciousness of God?
Thank God for not giving you what you deserve.
Devon Smith is district superintendent of the Tri-State District of The Wesleyan Church and founder/director of the CROSS Training ordination program at Oklahoma Wesleyan University.
© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
