Romans 3:20

Memory Verse

Therefore, out from law, no flesh will be justified before Him. For through law is the full experiential knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20).

The Mosaic law does not bring righteousness; it exposes our sin nature for what it truly is. Through the law comes a full experiential knowledge of sin, not victory over sin. Keep this in mind the next time you attempt to use a “do not” law to dictate your righteousness in a situation. We of the Church are not righteous because of what we do not do; rather, we are righteous because of who we are in Christ. Therefore, our actions show this righteousness forth when we abide by the commandments of Christ. The primary commandment for the Church is to love other saints as Christ loved us (John 13:34). This means being willing to sacrifice for another saint (1 John 3:16).

The law gives the sin nature strength (1 Corinthians 15:56). The law brings knowledge of sin, not freedom from it. Therefore, by the law every mouth will be stopped, and all will be held accountable to God (Romans 3:19). There are none among us who are righteous (Romans 3:10). Not even one who does kindness (Romans 3:12). No one knows the way of peace, for all seek their own righteousness (Romans 3:17).

Now, we have the righteousness of Christ—all those who put their faith in the gospel for salvation (1 Corinthians 1:30; 15:1–4). This is not a righteousness based upon our works, but on the mercy from God (Titus 3:5). Therefore, since we are righteous before God in Christ, let us live a life of righteousness by yielding our members to the desires we have from the Holy Spirit to act in a right manner in all things.