Becoming Right With God

21But now God has shown us how to become right with him. The Law and the Prophets give witness to this. It has nothing to do with obeying the law. 22We are made right with God by putting our faith in Jesus Christ. That happens to all who believe.

It is no different for the Jews than for anyone else. 23Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God’s glory. 24The free gift of God’s grace makes all of us right with him. Christ Jesus paid the price to set us free. 25God gave him as a sacrifice to pay for sins. So he forgives the sins of those who have faith in his blood.

God did all of that to prove that he is fair. Because of his mercy he did not punish people for the sins they had committed before Jesus died for them. 26God did that to prove in our own time that he is fair. He proved that he is right. He also made right with himself those who believe in Jesus.

27So who can brag? No one! Are people saved by obeying the law? Not at all! They are saved because of their faith. 28We firmly believe that people are made right with God because of their faith. They are not saved by obeying the law.

29Is God the God of Jews only? Isn’t he also the God of those who aren’t Jews? Yes, he is their God too. 30There is only one God. When those who are circumcised believe in him, he makes them right with himself. When those who are not circumcised believe in him, he also makes them right with himself. 31Does faith make the law useless? Not at all! We agree with the law.