Romans 3:21-26

Scripture Verse

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 Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, ²³ 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. ²⁵ 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— 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

Two Fire Accidents (Hong Kong & Crans-Montana)

This past Christmas and New Year, two major fire accidents – one in Hong Kong and one in Switzerland – left many families grieving. Two of my colleagues also lost their parents during the holiday season. I read heartbreaking accounts from families who received final messages from loved ones trapped in the fires, fully aware they would not escape. My heart ached for these families during a time that is usually filled with joy, reunion, and celebration. Their stories led me into deep reflection on life and death.

“Righteousness through faith” is a core Christian doctrine: we are all sinners, justified freely by God’s grace through Jesus Christ’s sacrificial atonement. Yet this raises a deeper question – what does it truly mean to have faith in Jesus? Faith must grow beyond intellectual acknowledgment into confident dependence. How does such faith sustain us in moments of turmoil and grief?

For Christians, faith brings hope in the face of death. Death is not our final end; Christ’s resurrection assures us that separation from our loved ones is temporary. This hope becomes an anchor during seasons of mourning.

I am especially comforted by the truth that God frees us from the burden of guilt – the feeling that we are not good enough or have not done enough to deserve His grace. His righteousness, not ours, is the foundation of our salvation. God knows our weaknesses, and Jesus Christ died for us so that we may be reconciled to Him.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so deeply that You sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. Because of His sacrifice, we have peace, hope, and the promise of eternal life. Strengthen us by Your Holy Spirit to live lives worthy of this free gift and teach us to forgive others as we have been forgiven.  In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.