"What then? Are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin. As it is written, "There is none righteous, no not one; there is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good, no, not one." (Romans 3:9-12)
This is the levelling that the Lord undertook -- when He Himself delivered His own salvation plan (decided before the foundation of the world was formed) to both the Jews and the Gentiles so that we might find abundant life in Him. As the scripture clearly states, God set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness: that He might be just and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus. (Romans 3:25-26; I Timothy 3:16)
"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood." (Acts 20:28)Indeed, "He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)
You see, the salvation plan to graft (adopt) in the Gentiles was decided from the very beginning. This explains why the scripture had to conclude first that we are all under sin -- that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. Indeed, Jesus was thee promise the old testament giants of faith looked forward to in Hebrews 11.
The scripture also reveals that before faith came, we were under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed -- the law being a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ.
"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore, by the deeds of the law, there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Romans 3:19-20; Romans 3:9; Acts 13:39; Galatians 2:16)
But now - the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believer; for there is no difference, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:21-22)
When did this happen? When the angel of the Lord God announced, "And ye shall call His name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins .. Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us." (Matthew 1:21-23)
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6 and Isaiah 7:14)
Behold, the Lamb of God!
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and he prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.
Why? For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) The all here includes both Jews and Gentiles; those of the circumcision and of the uncircumcision; those who are under the law and those who have never been under the law. All the world became guilty before God at the same time so that we would be free to choose life in the Lord Jesus or sadly, instead death.
Yes, he Lord hath revealed Himself to the world and He is still inviting us to come to Him. Please don't let this opportunity pass. Read Acts 2:36-41 - repent and be water baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Get a new testament and start reading - for your learning and edification. Be blessed too!
Stand in the offering plate.
