Romans 3   David, writing in Psalm 19, says that God's Word is ".. more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.." ( v 10).
I find this so true as I read Romans 3.  It is one of those passages that fills my soul.

Paul starts by saying that there is a special advantage to being a Jew.. even if the Gentiles are also able to come to God, for  " the Jews were entrusted with the very words of God."  Yet, they were not without need of repentance, for as it is written, "all have sinned and come short of earning God's praise."  ( v23)  The Law belonged to the Jews, but it only showed them how sinful they really were.  It could not make them righteous, even if they fulfilled it perfectly, which they couldn't.

The only way that  anyone, Jew or Gentile, can be made righteous, is God's way.  That has been made clear through the Old Testament.. in the Law and by the prophets.. and is still clear now... " .. it is a righteousness that comes from God, through the faithfulness of Jesus the Messiah, to all who continue trusting." (v22)  Through faith alone.

"By God's grace, without earning it, all are granted the status of being considered righteous before him through the act redeeming us from our enslavement to sin that was accomplished by the Messiah Yeshua. God put Yeshua (Jesus) forward as the kapparah ( propitiation/atonement) for sin through His faithfulness in respect to his bloody sacrificial death. This vindicated God's righteousness; because in His forbearance, he had passed over the sin people had committed in the past; and it vindicates his righteousness in the present age by showing that he is righteous Himself and is also the one who makes people righteous on the ground of Yeshua's faithfulness." 

Paul continues.. no one can boast.. because we can not earn salvation.. "we hold the view that a person comes to be considered righteous by God on the ground of trusting.. "   Trusting in Jesus the kapparah for sin.. the ransom, the atonement sacrifice, the only sacrifice that could ever satisfy the requirements that God demanded. 

Does this make your heart sing?  God demands righteousness, that we can never earn, and then He provides the only sacrifice, His only Son, nailed to a cross, that could ever pay the price to atone for sin.. all sin.. every sin.. of every person.  And then He makes it available to anyone who will trust in  Him.  Hallelujah!  What a Savior!  What an awesome God we serve!

Father in heaven, You are so good, so kind, and so gracious to us.  Thank You for the good news that brings us to life.  Jesus Christ is Lord and He is our Savior.  We trust You to save us from sin and all unrighteousness because Jesus  has made atonement for us.  Fill us again with the joy of salvation through Your Word as we think about these things. All honor and glory and thanksgiving to our God and Father and to the Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.