Romans 3:1-20

Be Still: Lord Jesus, as I wait for you to speak to me today, would you fill me with your peace, centre my mind on your Word, and send me out into what you have in store for me.

Read: Romans 3:1-20

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. (v20)

Encounter: We've all probably had that moment when we’ve looked in the mirror, only to see a huge spot looking back at us. A mirror provides us with a true reflection of ourselves. The law Paul is talking about in Romans 3:20 is like a mirror – to show us what we’re really like. There’s a great example of mirror-like effect in Nehemiah 8 where Ezra reads the law to the people. When they hear it, they break down in tears: ‘All the people had been weeping as they listened to the law.’ (Nehemiah 8:9b) They wept because the law was acting like a mirror showing them their reality. Paul explains in Romans 3:20 that ‘through the law we become conscious of our sin.’

That's not very comfortable, is it? But, trust me, it’s a really good thing. To show you why, let’s go to Genesis 3 before fast-forwarding back to Romans 3. 

After their fall in Genesis 3, Adam and Eve realised they were naked and quickly nabbed some fig leaves to cover themselves. A profound moment in human history –human beings become aware that something in them is fractured and they do whatever they can to cover up. Ever since then, every human has tried to cover up the same sense that something deep inside isn’t right. 

The law exposes our fractured humanity, our brokenness and reveals to us and God who we really are. But here’s the amazing thing – God’s sees us as we are and yet chooses to love us anyway. When perfect love loves you perfectly, there’s no need to cover up anymore. Paul writes later in Romans 5:8 ‘While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’ When you were totally naked, exposed, at your worst, at your least loveable – that’s who Christ chose to die for.

Apply: Do I know what it feels like to be seen by Jesus for who I really am and to be loved anyway?

Devote: Thank you, Lord, that when I was at my worst you chose to love me. Please reveal more of your love for me today in a fresh way.