In the first two chapters of Romans, Paul clarifies that all people, Jewish and Gentile, have a sin problem. The Gentiles had a long history of practicing immoral pagan worship, while the Jewish people not only engaged in the same practices but did so while taking great pride in the Law of Moses.
In Romans 3, Paul teaches that while all people are guilty of sin (Romans 3:9), God has provided the perfect solution to the problem. Today, all people can be justified before God through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21-31).
Being justified means that our spiritual debt is paid and our sins are forgiven. Being justified is only possible because God sent Jesus to die on the cross. Being justified cannot be earned or deserved but is only made available by God’s grace. Being justified is universally available to anyone who faithfully believes.
Justification through faith in Jesus Christ is the God-given answer to our sin problem, and without God spiritual salvation would never be possible.
Matt Langfield