RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH FAITH This section of Romans is teaching us how to reason about the origin and history of man. God made man to seek and find Him, and positioned him in both time and place to encourage that quest (Acts 17:26). Both time and circumstance has confirmed this quest could not be done independently of God. There is not a segment of His creation, whether personal or impersonal, that can correctly function without Him. Blessed is the person who sees and embraces this truth. Such an one is well on the way to experiencing the good and acceptable, and perfect will of God. -- Tomorrow:
"But 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: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." (Rom 3:21-26)
Devotion 3 of 24
"BUT"
The word "BUT" introduces a contrasting thought – in particular one that declares a Divine working as compared to a human one. The words "but God" occur forty-three times in Scripture (Gen 20:3; 31:7; 45:8; 48:21; 50:20; Ex 13:18; 21:13; Judges 15:19; 1 Sam 23:14; 1 Chron 28:3; Psa 49:15; 64:7; 68:21; 73:26; 75:7; Prov 21:12; Isa 17:13; Jonah 4:7; Mark 12:7; Luke 5:21; 12:20; 16:15; Acts 7:9; 10:28; 13:30; Rom 5:8; 6:17; 1 Cor 1:27; 2:10; 3:6,7; 6:13; 7:15; 10:13; 12:24; 15:38; Gal 3:18,20; 6:14; Eph 2:4; Phil 2:27). In all of these cases, the intervention of God turned the tide. The phrase "but the Lord" occurs fifty times in Scripture, and consistently conveys the same truth (Gen 39:21; Ex 10:20,27; Deut 1:45; 2:21; 3:26; 4:20; 7:23; 9:19; 23:5; 28:65; 1 Sam 1:5; 7:10; 16:7; 2 Sam 22:19; 1 Kings 19:11,12; 17:36,39; 1 Chron 16:26; 2 Chron 6:8; Psa 9:7; 18:18; 34:19; 37:17; 94:22; 96:5; 118:13; Prov 16:2,9; 17:3; 21:2; Isa 5:16; 60:2,19; Jer 1:7; 10:10; 16:15; 20:11; 23:8; 36:26; Hos 8:13; Joel 3:16; Jonah 1:4; Hab 2:20; Acts 9:15; 1 Cor 7:10; 2 Thess 3:3).
I have taken the time to list these references for a purpose. It is not a mere academic exercise, or a word study. Rather, it is intended to confirm there is a certain accent throughout Scripture. Needed change is always introduced by God, and never by man. When, therefore, we read "but now," we are not reading of the progression of man, or the result of some mythical evolutionary process. Man continued to digress until God did something about it. He continued to be basically unrighteous until God intervened. Man was incapable of fulfilling his appointed purpose until the God of heaven undertook on the behalf of humanity with wisdom and power.
From another perspective "BUT NOW" means since Jesus has died, raised again, and is seated at the right hand of God. "NOW" is the time when the world has been reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:18), sin has been expiated (Heb 9:26), and the devil destroyed (Heb 2:14). As it is written, "For He says: 'In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation" (2 Cor 6:2). This is a new day, a new time, the period for which men have longed since first they heard of a Savior and His great deliverance.
"NOW" we have received the atonement (Rom 5:11). "NOW" we are made free from sin (Rom 6:22). "NOW" we are delivered from the condemning law (Rom 7:6). "NOW" there is no condemnation (Rom 8:1). "NOW" in Christ Jesus we who were afar have been made near (Eph 2:13). "NOW" we are no more foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God (Eph 2:19). "NOW" God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us (Eph 3:20).
Our need was assessed according to the past. Our benefit is declared in accordance with the present time: the time when Christ "is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Heb 7:25).
After allotting 4,000 years for humanity to correct itself, not a single righteous person was found. In fact, men made no real effort to correct their condition, for there was not one who sought the Lord, or did good independently of Divine influence. No champion arose from "the sons of Adam" (Deut 32:8) to rescue mankind. "BUT NOW" that Jesus has put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself, and is seated on the right hand of the majesty in the heavens, a wonderful announcement is made.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for intervening when we were helpless, hopeless, and defiled!