After explaining that righteousness is only available by grace through faith, Paul moves to explain why God's grace is available to the believer. The foundation of salvation is the price that was pain - Jesus' precious blood. God displayed His righteousness by crushing His Son on the cross for the penalty of sin. It was this public act that justified the justified for His grace.

After building an argument for two and a half chapters that none are righteous and none are good; Paul turns his attention to the only hope for those who otherwise have no hope - Christ. In Romans 3:21-26, Paul presents six important aspects of salvation that give the believer security in their salvation - faith in Christ.

After building the argument that both Jews and Gentiles are in the same boat when it comes to salvation, Paul drives home the point that one human being is righteous (whether Jew or Gentile). Here is the key starting point for the Gospel - all have sinned and deserve God's wrath. Until one accepts this fact, he or she will not be able to accept the salvation that is available in Christ alone.

In this passage, Paul reminds his readers that Jews had a distinct advantage over the Gentiles because they were entrusted with the oracles (or Word) of God. The problem, though, is that they did not keep the Word of God but rather sought to appear religious. Thus, God is righteous in judging His people according to His Word.

The world is often focused upon outward appearances, accomplishments, and credentials, but God is focused upon the heart. What is needed today is not better-looking people but hearts that belong to God. If our nation is to experience revival, then its people need to be better conformed to God's image. A circumcisede heart is what is most necessary today!

Whether Jew or Gentile, all fall short of God's standards for righteousness. The Jews not being able to measure up to the Law of Moses and the Gentiles not being able to measure up to the Law of Conscience, all fall short. Nevertheless, there is one who kept the whole Law perfectly, Jesus Christ!

Paul turns the tables on the moralistic Jews who believed they were exempt from God's wrath. However, they too are guilty of the same things they judged the gentiles. Thus, Paul demonstrates that moralism cannot save but only faith in the merit of Jesus Christ. We are not saved by our works but by His righteous works!

Woe to those who call good evil and evil good (cf. Is. 5:20). The final step of God's judgment against culture is when people begin to approve of evil. When people began to promote practices that are forbidden in Scripture, it leads to the downfall of society. What can we do to reverse the trend? Hear what Paul has to say.