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Romans 3:21-22a

²¹But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it- ^22athe righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.

How God deals with humanity's sin is what sets Christianity apart from all other faiths. Paul is teaching that our problem is sin. Even those who try their best fall short of God's standard of holiness. No man or woman is good enough to stand in God's presence. God is holy and we are sinful. Some other religions agree to this point. The great difference is in what we can do about this dilemma.

The Jews say to be repentant and do good works. The Muslims say to die as a martyr or try your best and hope Allah is merciful. The Buddhists and Hindus say to keep trying each life cycle. Jesus says, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Jesus knows we will never be good enough for God, so He paid our sin debt and offers us His righteousness. By receiving the Holy Spirit, the transformative work begins and will conclude when we see Him face to face (1 John 3:2). The solution for all other faiths is to try harder. Jesus' solution is to trust and believe in Him.

Paul wrote that the Law and the Prophets bear witness to this way. Every prediction of the Messiah bearing our sins and defeating Satan, from Genesis to Malachi, testifies to the Messiah Jesus being God's solution to our sin nature. Instead of trying in our limited power, we yield to His all-powerful Spirit.

Consider: Have you placed your faith in Jesus? Have you begun yielding yourself moment by moment to God's Spirit?