But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.~ Romans 3:21-28
It’s so easy to compare ourselves to others and think we’re not so bad. Yet, God tells us in His Word that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We cannot compensate for our sins by good works. There is nothing we can do to wipe away our iniquities. We are justified only by the Blood of Christ. We cannot boast of our salvation because we received it by grace—we do not deserve to be justified, but God in His great mercy imputes the righteousness of Christ to us through our faith in Him.
Gracious and merciful God, I do not deserve Your forgiveness and Your justification, yet You give them to me through grace. Nothing I can do can compensate for my sins or make me righteous, but my life is Yours to do with as You will. Show me what You want me to do. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.