Readings for Lent and Easter

Becoming Right With God by Faith

²¹ But now God has shown us his saving power without the help of the law. But the Law and the Prophets tell us about this. ²² We are made right with God by putting our faith in Jesus Christ. This happens to all who believe. It is no different for the Jews than for the Gentiles. ²³ Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God’s glory. ²⁴ The free gift of God’s grace makes us right with him. Christ Jesus paid the price to set us free. ²⁵ God gave Christ as a sacrifice to pay for sins through the spilling of his blood. So God forgives the sins of those who have faith. God did all this to prove that he does what is right. He is a God of mercy. So he did not punish for their sins the people who lived before Jesus lived. ²⁶ God did all this to prove in our own time that he does what is right. He also makes right with himself those who believe in Jesus.

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