Romans 3  The truth is "There is none righteous, not even one."  No matter what religion we follow or what we think. or how we act... we cannot achieve the standard of righteousness that God has set.  The Jews continued to argue that only the Law could bring salvation and justify mankind.  They didn't understand that the Law only pointed out what sin was.. ".. by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.." It could not save anyone. 

God gave the Law to the Jews. They were entrusted with the sacred writings of God. God revealed to them His holiness. He showed them His righteousness.  He gave them His promises  - if they would believe and obey. He was faithful and true in all that He said and did. But.. over and over and over again the people of God forgot Him, rebelled against Him, broke His Laws, and lived unholy, unrighteous lives.  They could not deny it.. just as not one of us can deny that we have sinned and fallen short "of the glory of God." 

"But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe... "  Both Jews and Gentiles are under the same penalty for the same sin.  But.. hallelujah there is a Savior! God has given us the perfect example.. the perfect representation .. the perfect Light through whom we can see what His righteousness really is.  In the Law, God painted a very detailed, very powerful picture of what His righteousness looks like.  He revealed His holiness and taught His people that they needed to be holy like He is.  But.. they didn't get it and they couldn't do it. Then, God sent His Son.. Jesus Christ.. Who is God in the flesh.. the reality.. the Living manifestation of Righteousness. 

 All have sinned.. but through  faith in Christ we are ".. being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom 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." 

Redemption - deliverance.. the ransom paid - is a gift of grace that renders us "justified" - innocent.. because Jesus became the "propitiation" -the penalty paid; the atonement received; the satisfaction of the debt finished! This is the demonstration of God's righteousness.  Our Righteous God is just.  Our Righteous God has justified us.. called us innocent.. because we put our faith in Jesus. O what a great and wonderful God we serve!  He is worthy of all our praise and thanksgiving!  He is worthy of all the love we have in our hearts and souls and minds and bodies! 

Praise to the Righteous God and Father and to the Son, our risen Lord and Savior! Thank You Spirit of God for revealing these truths to us through the Word and by Your power.. amen.