“How can a man be righteous before God?”
—Job 9:2
The most important question a person could ever ask is, “How can a sinful man be reconciled to a holy God?” How is it possible for a sinner, one who has broken all the commandments of God, to escape the penalty of eternal death and be received into God’s favor? “How can a man be righteous before God?” (Job 9:2).
From the moment man fell into sin, he has been seeking to answer this ultimate question. Adam and Eve covered themselves with fig leaves. Cain brought the produce of the field, and the religious leaders of Jesus day, the Pharisees, thought they could bring their obedience to God’s Law. Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 1:10, “There’s nothing new under the sun.” Therefore, it should not surprise us that there are people today who teach that fallen, sinful, unregenerate man can be justified before God on the grounds of their obedience. But according to Scripture, no sinful man will ever be justified in the sight of God according to what he has done. Rather, Scripture declares that man is justified by grace alone through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. Therefore, according to Galatians 3:10-14, anyone seeking to be justified by their works is under the curse and wrath of God.
The great theme of Scripture, which the Apostle Paul declares in the book of Romans, is a righteousness from God by faith. Romans 1:16-17, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
There is only one hope, and His name is Jesus. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Trust in the person and work of Jesus and you will receive the forgiveness of your sins and everlasting life because of the law-abiding life and sin-atoning death of Jesus Christ on behalf of all who trust Him.
Friday Devotional: July 17, 2026
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry
