Romans 3

All the world, Paul writes, is made "accountable to God".  Whether they have the Law, as the Jews did, or whether they did not have the Law - " all are under sin".   The Law gives us " the knowledge of sin",  but it does not justify anyone.   There are no works that one can do on their own that can make them justified.  But , " now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested." 

The " righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe;"  has been manifested - declared, made evident, appeared.  
"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."   No one can deny that statement and no one can justify himself.

"..being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; who God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." 

Paul's point here is that the only way that anyone can be justified is through faith in Jesus - whether Jew or Gentile.  Whether under the Law or not.  Whether you have done every jot and tittle of the Law or not, you can never be justified by what you have done.  You can only be justified by what Jesus Christ has done.  This, Paul declares, is the manifest righteousness of God.

The sacrifices of lambs and goats could only lay aside sin.  It was temporary and could not change the heart of a man.  But the redemption - the ransom paid, the deliverance guaranteed, the salvation provided - by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross - is the propitiation in His blood - the penalty is totally satisfied, paid in full, God's wrath appeased, atonement made.   Faith in Jesus then, can change our hearts and characters, make us holy and righteous, completely removes the sin, the guilt, and the power of sin over us.  We are transformed - and the image of God, like that of Adam before the fall - is regained.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour...

Father in Heaven,  we praise You and Worship You, the Righteous One Who has revealed Your grace and mercy to us in Christ Jesus, our Lord.  Amen.