Devotional:God’s Remedy:Romans 3:21-26

“Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24, NASB).

On February 14, 2018 Nikolas Cruz killed students in Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Seventeen people were killed and seventeen others were injured. Mr. Cruz stood trial for his actions. He was found guilty of murder and other crimes. The trial went to a jury. The jury had to decide if Mr. Cruz would get the death penalty. The jury decided to give a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Many of the parents of the victims were emotionally upset. They wanted Cruz to receive death. The jury did not grant the parents their wish. They allowed Cruz to live. The news reports that I saw mentioned nothing about the response of Mr. Cruz. Was he happy that his life was spared? Would he rather live life in prison or just die now and get it over with?

I am guilty of sin and you are too. Paul writes, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, NASB). Unfortunately, some of us want others to die for their sins, but we ourselves want to live in spite of our sins. For me this is evidence that God does not see justice in the same way that many of us see it. If God saw justice in the same way with the same attitude and feelings that many of the parents have we would be dead. In fact, as sinners we are dead in trespasses and sin. All of us live under the sentence of eternal death. Yet, we have hope. We can have our names removed from the list of the eternal death. We can have our names written in the Book of Life and live forever. How is this possible? God has a remedy for our sins.

Paul says that God gives grace to all that believe in Jesus. In Jesus we are justified. This means that we have a new relationship with God. We were separated from God, but now we have been brought near to God in a new relationship. We have been made right with God. Paul says that a price had to be paid for our redemption. With His blood that was shed on the cross, Jesus became a substitute for us. He died in our place so that we now live.

The emotions felt by the parents in Florida are natural. How can they deal effectively with their loss? God has a remedy. God’s grace makes it possible for us to be healed from all hurt. When we think about what Jesus has done for us so that we are right with God it is easier for us to extend grace to those who have hurt us so much. May we all that know Jesus allow His love to flow through us to other people.

Prayer: God, Your remedy for my sins helps me when I am sinned against. Amen.