When we look at the cross of Christ, we see the perfect love and justice of God fully satisfied. What the Law could not do—because it was weakened by our sinful flesh—God did by sending His Son (Romans 8:3). This is the heart of the Gospel, and it is truly good news.

The Law was holy, just, and good (Romans 7:12), but it could never make a sinner righteous. Why? Because the Law demanded perfection, and fallen mankind could never keep it. The Law revealed sin; it exposed our inability to meet God’s standard. But it couldn’t redeem. It couldn’t save.

“For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh.” —Romans 8:3 (NKJV)

Jesus Christ came “in the likeness of sinful flesh”—not as a sinner, but as a man, fully human yet without sin. He became the perfect sacrifice, willingly bearing the full weight and penalty of sin for all mankind. At the cross, sin was judged and condemned. Justice was served, and grace was unleashed.

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” —2 Corinthians 5:21

Think about that exchange: the sinless Savior became sin for us, so that we, who were full of sin, could become the righteousness of God. Not by trying harder. Not by keeping the Law. But by believing what He accomplished.

This righteousness is not earned—it’s received by faith.

“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets.” —Romans 3:21

This means the Old Testament pointed forward to this grace-filled righteousness all along. Christ didn’t come to destroy the Law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). And He did—once for all.

“By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” —Hebrews 10:10

The Apostle Paul, by the Holy Spirit, ties it all together in Romans 5. He compares the first Adam and the last Adam—Christ.

• Through Adam’s disobedience, sin and death entered the world.

• Through Christ’s obedience, grace and life now reign.

“For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one, much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.” —Romans 5:17

“Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” —Romans 5:18

“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” —Romans 5:19

“That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” —Romans 5:21

What an incredible truth: God accomplished what we never could. Christ fulfilled the Law, satisfied God’s justice, and offered us His righteousness as a free gift. He did it all.

So now, what does God require?

Simply this: believe it.

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” —Romans 3:28

There is nothing left to earn. Christ’s finished work is enough. The moment we trust Him—His death for our sins and His resurrection for our justification—we are made righteous in God’s sight forever.

Final Thought

You don’t have to strive to be good enough. You never could be. But the good news is: Jesus already was, and He gave you His righteousness.

Do you believe it?

Let His grace reign in your life today.