Romans 3:21–22
Memory Verse
But now, apart from the law, God’s righteousness has been revealed, testified by the law and the prophets. Indeed, God’s righteousness through faith concerning Jesus Christ unto all those who believe. For there is no difference (Romans 3:21–22).
Righteousness does not come through law. If it could come through law, then Christ would not have needed to die for our sins (Galatians 2:21). Law brings wrath, not righteousness (Romans 4:15). Why then did God give Israel the law? Through the law, the sin nature is manifested for how sinful it really is (Romans 7:7).
Consequently, since, apart from the law, the righteousness of God was revealed, then through law we cannot obtain or maintain righteousness. Righteousness comes by faith in Christ Jesus, believing in His death on behalf of sins and resurrection three days later (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). Therefore, Christ is the end of the law for all those who believe (Romans 10:4).
In light of all this, law does not dictate the righteous status of a Christian. Christ’s righteousness has been imputed to the believer (1 Corinthians 1:30). Thus, Christ’s death and resurrection have been imputed to the Christian, freeing him from slavery to the sin nature, making him a slave to righteousness (Romans 6:4–6, 18). Since law is for the unrighteous (1 Timothy 1:8–10), a Christian’s righteousness is maintained through living out from faith, not by the works of any law, for he has already attained righteousness in Christ (Romans 1:17).