Redeemed and Rewritten - Part III

Scripture: 
“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus…a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.” Romans 3:23–24 & 28 (NIV)

Observation: 
On Sunday, we continued our series in Romans. In chapter 3, Paul raises a rhetorical question, a human argument that almost feels uncomfortable to sit with: if our sin ends up glorifying God’s righteousness, then why are we still judged for it? At first, it sounds a bit like a contradiction, but Paul doesn’t back down or soften his answer: God is always just, and sin is still sin. Just because God can bring His glory out of brokenness, it does not make our brokenness good; it reveals how good God is. 
The law was never meant to make us right; its intent was to show us how short we fall and how righteousness is a gift that freely comes only through Jesus Christ. It is both humbling and sobering to know that one single act can carry such weight, like a single spark of fire–either burning down or bringing forth warmth. The choice made in the Garden of Eden brought sin and death on all of humanity; Jesus’ willing sacrifice provided redemption of sin and the gift of eternal life for all. Faith itself is one single act; the point where everything changes. Not because of great or perfect faith, but because of who our faith is placed in. 
Faith is the foundation; how we live is what flows out of it. Not to earn anything, but as an expression of what we now believe to be true. This is what Paul points to as the “law of faith.” It’s not a checklist of works to secure salvation, but a way of living that aligns with it. The choices we make—small as they may seem—become expressions of that faith. Choosing holiness over conformity, peace over pride, grace over resentment and bitterness–these aren’t just moral decisions, they’re moments where our faith is lived out. 

Application: 
No single act is insignificant—not our first step of faith and not our quiet prayers or the daily choices no one else sees: each will either reflect God’s glory and grace or the opposite. Jesus did not come to condemn our sin but to redeem us from it. Sin cannot undo God’s mercy and grace, nor does it deserve any bit of glorification, but because sin hinders our relationship with our Heavenly Father. It taints our minds and perspectives and distorts how God’s goodness is reflected in and through us. 
Although the knowledge of good and evil has existed since the Garden of Eden, praise God that through Jesus we can be transformed to not only recognize good but to joyfully choose it. Let us consider the areas in our lives where we have allowed sin to enter. Imagine how much better life could be if we truly laid that thing down to gain what is on the other side of it. By His sacrifice we are redeemed. Sin no longer has a grip on us. Those who the Son set free are free indeed (John 8:36). Through the sacrifice of Christ, we are redeemed, renewed, rewired, and rewritten! 

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You that we are made right in You through our faith in Jesus and not by our own efforts and actions. Help us to live in a way that reflects You more with each day that passes. Continue to make us more aware of our choices—not out of fear, but out of love for You, and a desire to honor Your Name. Thank You that through Jesus, we are redeemed and our stories have been rewritten! May the way we choose to live each day reflecting this. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.