I Ditched the Routines for Something Better

Romans 3:21-26

All I need is Jesus Christ to be right with God. From the day that Jesus Christ shed His blood on the Cross a door was open into the presence of God. From that day on, all the requirements of Old Testament Law were done away with. Frankly, I was never under the Law because I was never Jewish, have never been circumcised, have never wore a kippah, have never sacrificed an animal, have never kept the Passover, etc. I wouldn’t have a clue of what being right with God through the works of the law is like.

As a Christian, these verses tell me that there are no routines that makes me right with God. Doing yoga every week isn’t taking care of the temple of God, those living by the mark of the beast can do that. Giving money every Sunday at a church isn’t going to make me right with God, those living by the mark of the beast can do that. Going to church on Sundays doesn’t make me right with God, those living for the mark of the beast can do that. Praying isn’t going to make me right with God, those with the mark of the beast can do that. Donating to charities isn’t going to make me right with God, those living for the mark of the beast can do that. The only thing that brings me into the presence of God is the faith that I have in Jesus Christ, nothing more. It means choosing Jesus Christ over the mark of the beast.

Paul is totally dismantling the church. After Jesus Christ, there would be no more coming to God by the works stipulated in the law of the Old Testament. Jesus Christ is the only way to God. So, he told them that their law of animal sacrifices was obsolete, that Jesus Christ is the Savior spoken about in their scripture, that they are no different than anyone else, that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, and that the blood of Jesus is the only sacrifice of atonement needed. Then he added that the only reason God didn’t destroy them for their rebellion is so that birth would be given to Jesus Christ. Through Him, everyone could be justified, and God would prove Himself to be just. (The family tree of Jesus Christ is of the tribe of Israel, Judah. If God had destroyed the tribes of Israel, Jesus Christ would not have come.)

“But now apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 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— 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.”
Romans 3:21-26