Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Romans 3:25-30 (NIV)
25 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— 26 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. 27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.
Have you ever been around someone who is always trying to remind you of their accomplishments? Or maybe they constantly mention the names of important people they know? Or they tell you about all the enlightening books they have read! The justification that Jesus offers to us through faith is God’s declaration that you no longer have to prove to yourself, to others, and especially not to Him that you are worthy of love, honor, respect, dignity, etc. You can just be you! You can live and love and boast in Jesus. Is there something you are holding onto that gives you a sense of worth? What would happen if you lost it? Through faith, trust that your justification and worth is secure in Jesus.