What does "none is righteous" reveal about our need for Jesus' salvation? The Heart of the Statement Romans 3:10: “As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one.’” What “None Is Righteous” Tells Us about Ourselves • Universal verdict—every person, every culture, every era. • Sin is not merely a series of bad choices; it is a condition that touches mind, will, and affections (Jeremiah 17:9; Genesis 6:5). • Even the best human morality cannot erase the stain of sin (Isaiah 64:6—“all our righteous acts are like a filthy garment”). • The verse echoes Psalm 14:1-3, reinforcing that this has always been God’s assessment, not a new idea introduced by Paul. Why This Verdict Creates an Urgent Need • It removes every ground for self-confidence. No credentials, rituals, or heritage grant righteousness (Philippians 3:4-9). • God’s standard is perfection (Matthew 5:48). Falling short, even slightly, means complete failure (James 2:10). • The consequence of sin is death—separation from God now and eternally (Romans 6:23). Jesus: The Only Sufficient Answer • Perfect righteousness revealed: “Christ is the culmination of the Law, so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4). • Substitutionary sacrifice: “God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice, through faith in His blood” (Romans 3:25). • Imputed righteousness: “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Receiving What We Cannot Earn 1. Acknowledge personal unrighteousness (Romans 3:23). 2. Rely solely on Christ’s finished work, not on moral reform or religious effort (Ephesians 2:8-9). 3. Confess Him as Lord and believe God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9-10). Life After Receiving His Righteousness • Gratitude fuels obedience—righteous deeds flow from a changed heart (Titus 2:11-14). • Ongoing dependence—sanctification is progressive, driven by the Spirit, never by human grit alone (Galatians 3:3). • Humility toward others—because we were rescued from the same unrighteous state (Ephesians 4:32). Closing Takeaway Romans 3:10 strips away every illusion of innate goodness, leaving us with one hope: the spotless righteousness of Jesus credited to sinners who trust Him. |
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