None Is Righteous
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Key Verse: “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” Selected Scriptures: |
THIS LESSON BEGINS with the Apostle Paul preaching the message of Christ’s kingdom to the people at Rome, the capital city of the world in his day. Although there were many pagan philosophies taught at that time and place, he was not ashamed to preach the Gospel of Christ as it had been revealed to him. Truly it was the power of God unto salvation to all who had ears to hear the wonderful words of life. He points out that the children of Israel had been given a privileged relationship with God, but indicates that Gentiles would come to know our Lord Jesus and the power of his salvation.
Paul explains further that the righteousness of God is revealed by faith. He points out that God would extend, to a faithful class of believers, a very special blessing to those who would respond to the High Calling. (Phil.3:14) This special time would be during the present Gospel Age. He then directs our attention to the prophetic words of Habakkuk, written centuries earlier, that “the just shall live by faith.”—Hab. 2:4; Rom. 1:17
We are also reminded by the apostle (Rom. 3:9,10) that whether we are Jews or Gentiles, we are all born in sin, and that there is, therefore, not one righteous person among us. (Ps. 51:5) We may, however, receive an imputed righteousness, or justification, through our faith in the merit of Jesus’ sacrifice which was given on our behalf. He explains, “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 5:1) We recognize that it is through our faith in Jesus that we obtain this very special relationship. Furthermore, the significance of Jesus’ perfect life is emphasized by his precious blood that was shed for us. Paul stresses the importance of this blood when he writes, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (vs. 9) The wrath he speaks of is a reference to the sentence of death. The whole human family will be delivered from this condemnation during the future reign of our Lord.
Turning our attention to the Law Covenant, and the apostle’s statement concerning it in this lesson, we read: “We know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”—Rom. 3:19,20
God’s special favor was to the children of Israel, and this included giving them the Law Covenant. It promised life to those who could keep it, and to be justified by it. Jesus, who was born a Jew and under the Law, was the only one who kept it. The Law Covenant was given to show all mankind their inability to keep it and that no one was worthy of everlasting life. They needed a savior.
“Now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.” (vss. 21,22) None is righteous, and none can keep the law of God on their own merit because of sin. We, however, are truly blessed with the assurance that in God’s wonderful providence we may be justified by our faith in Jesus, and share that very special relationship with our Heavenly Father.