Day 11 of Advent
This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, 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— 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.
Romans 3:22-26 NIV
Jesus was born so that we could be righteous. It’s been God’s will since Creation. It’s a free gift of grace that I personally will never fully comprehend, or thank God enough for.
We live very busy lives, and it’s easy to judge others or be quick with snarky come-backs. I encourage you though as we are in this season of Hope, would you be quick to forgive, to pass along the grace God so freely and lovingly gives you everyday. And my prayer is that it doesn’t end December 26th or 31st. Would you keep this scripture in your heart as you encounter the “difficult” people in your life, and do your very best ( with Jesus’ help) to love your neighbor.
