In these first five weeks, we’ll explore the fundamental problem of humanity—sin—and the incredible promise of God’s righteousness. Paul paints a stark picture of the universal problem of sin, but he also provides a powerful promise: the righteousness of God, revealed through faith. We will journey through Paul’s theology of human depravity and God’s provision, grounding ourselves in the reality of both our brokenness and the hope found in Jesus Christ.

Paul addresses the universality of sin and the fact that all have fallen short of God’s glory. This week highlights the need for a savior and sets the stage for understanding the promise of righteousness through faith.

How does recognizing the universality of sin impact your understanding of the need for grace and the role of Jesus in your life?

Read:
 Romans 3:1-4
What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2 Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.

3 What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? 4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written:

“So that you may be proved right when you speak
    and prevail when you judge.”[a]

Cross-Reference:
Psalm 51:4;
Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
    and justified when you judge.

2 Timothy 2:13 
if we are faithless,
    he remains faithful,
    for he cannot disown himself.

Reflection:
Despite human unfaithfulness, God remains faithful and His promises are true.

Question:
How does knowing that God’s faithfulness is not dependent on human faithfulness affect your trust in Him?

Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your unwavering faithfulness. Help me trust in Your promises even when I fall short.

Read:
Romans 3:9-12
9 What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. 10 As it is written:

“There is no one righteous, not even one;
11     there is no one who understands;
    there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away,
    they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
    not even one.”[a

Cross-Reference:
Deuteronomy 10:16;
16 Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.

Jeremiah 4:4
Circumcise yourselves to the Lord,
    circumcise your hearts,
    you people of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem,
or my wrath will flare up and burn like fire
    because of the evil you have done—
    burn with no one to quench it.

Reflection:
Both Jews and Gentiles are under the power of sin. No one is righteous on their own.

Question:
How does acknowledging the universal nature of sin deepen your appreciation for the need for a Savior?

Prayer:
Lord, help me recognize my own need for grace and extend that understanding to others who also need Your salvation.

Read:
Romans 3:19-20
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

Cross-Reference:
Galatians 3:24-25;
24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
 
 James 2:10;
10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

Reflection:
The law speaks to those under it and shows the whole world their need for God’s righteousness.

Question:
How can you view the law as a means to understand your need for grace rather than a tool for self-righteousness?

Prayer:
: Jesus, help me to see the law as a guide that points me to Your grace and not as a means of self-righteousness.

Read:
 Romans 3:21-22
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in[h] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,

Cross-Reference:
Philippians 3:9;
9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
 
 Galatians 2:16
16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in[a] Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

Reflection:
Righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, apart from the law.

Question:
How does knowing that righteousness comes through faith and not the law affect your relationship with God?

Prayer:
Lord, I thank You for the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus. Help me to live fully in this truth.

Read:
Romans 3:23-24
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Cross-Reference:
Ephesians 2:8-9; 
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

Titus 3:7
7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Reflection:
All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, but are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Question:
How does the concept of justification by grace impact your understanding of your standing before God?

Prayer:
Father, thank You for justifying me by Your grace. Help me to embrace and live out this grace daily.

Read:
Romans 3:25-26
God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[i] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Cross-Reference:
Hebrews 9:14; 
14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,[a] so that we may serve the living God!

1 John 2:2
2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Reflection:
Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, demonstrating God’s justice and love.

Question:
How does understanding Jesus as the atoning sacrifice affect your appreciation of His work on the cross?

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the sacrifice of Jesus that brings atonement for my sins. Help me to live in the light of His redemption.

Read:
Romans 3:27-28
27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

Cross-Reference:
1 Corinthians 1:29-31;
so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[a]

 Galatians 6:14
14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Reflection:
Boasting is excluded because justification comes by faith, not by works.

Question:
How can you avoid boasting in your own efforts and instead boast in what Christ has done for you?

Prayer:
Jesus, help me to boast only in Your work and not in my own achievements. Keep me humble and grateful for Your grace.