God’s Purpose (Romans 3:19-26)
Imagine an artist at her canvas, envisioning a masterpiece—a portrait that captures beauty, truth, and purpose. Every brushstroke is intentional, meant to reflect her vision perfectly. But what if the canvas resists, the colors blur, and the image falls short of her dream? That’s our story. God, the ultimate artist, created us in His image to reflect His glory—His goodness and righteousness (Genesis 1:27). Yet, as Paul shows in Romans 1–3, we’ve all sinned, distorting that image and failing to live out God’s purpose. We’re like a marred painting, unable to fix ourselves. But here’s the hope: in Romans 3:19–26, God doesn’t discard His canvas. Through Jesus, He restores us to reflect His glory again. Let’s explore how this passage moves us from failure to redemption.
Understanding Sin
Romans 3:19–20 declares, “Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.”
In this final summation of humanity’s guilt, God tells us to close our mouths. Have you ever spoken out of nervousness, trying to defend yourself, only to regret it? Paul says defending ourselves against God’s judgment is futile. The law—God’s holy standard, like a mirror—reveals our sin but cannot make us righteous. It silences every excuse, leaving us accountable before a just God. On that day, Paul says, no one will be justified—declared right with God—by their efforts to keep the law.
This truth hits harder in verse 23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” What does this mean? Genesis 1:27 tells us, “God created humankind in his own image.” We were made to reflect God’s glory—His goodness, righteousness, and authority—on earth. Think of it like a photograph: we’re meant to be a clear image of God’s character. But sin blurs that image, leaving us marred and distorted, far from the righteousness God intended. The law sets a baseline for goodness, but we can’t even meet that standard.
So many in our world believe they’re inherently good enough. You hear it when people say, “I’m a good person—I help my neighbors, I give to charity.” But Paul spent three chapters showing that no one measures up. Whether we’re religious or not, we all fall short. For example, someone might pride themselves on volunteering, yet harbor jealousy, bitterness, or gossip—sin that taints their efforts. Paul’s point is clear: our best deeds cannot erase our sin or make us right with God. We deserve judgment.
Admitting this isn’t easy. It stings to hear our best isn’t good enough. If I told you your greatest talent falls short, you’d feel hurt. We want to justify our sins, to make excuses, but we can’t. Yet, here’s the hope: God doesn’t leave us in judgment. He offers us grace, a way to restore His image in us through His Son.
Providing The Solution, Grace
Have you ever received grace from someone else? Maybe you stole something or cheated on a test. Maybe you forgot to do something really important for your spouse. You knew you messed up BIG TIME and that the blowup was going to be awful. But instead of anger and lashing out in punishment, you received kind and gentle forgiveness. Do you remember what that felt like? There are times in my life when I've made awful mistakes and acted foolishly.
One night I chose to drive home from fishing alone at 2:30 in the morning and wrecked my truck. It was my 1997 Toyota Tacoma extended cab 4x4 and it was so nice. I still remember the day my dad and I went out to get it. I took a long blink, jumped a flower bed, and ended up on a pile of logs. When I called my parents and they came to pick me up, I was a scared sick. I knew that I deserved to be berated. But instead I heard the words, "I'm glad you're okay." That's grace. The text we are about to read explains how God has provided an even greater grace at tremendous cost to himself.
Romans 3:21–24 (NET) — 21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God (which is attested by the law and the prophets) has been disclosed—22 namely, the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 24 But they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
The gospel is good news: God reveals His righteousness—His perfect justice and gift of right standing—through Jesus. Rather than leaving us to fail under the law, God sent His Son to show us true righteousness. Jesus lived the perfect life we couldn’t, reflecting God’s character completely (Hebrews 1:3). His faithfulness to God’s will, even to death, fulfills God’s promises and shows His love for us. Through faith in Him, we’re justified—declared right with God—not by our works, but by His grace.
Jesus is the solution to our problem. Notice that this solution is explained further in verses 25-26.
Romans 3:25–26 (NET) — 25 God publicly displayed him at his death as the mercy seat accessible through faith. This was to demonstrate his righteousness, because God in his forbearance had passed over the sins previously committed.26 This was also to demonstrate his righteousness in the present time, so that he would be just and the justifier of the one who lives because of Jesus’ faithfulness.
Paul explains Jesus’ work in three powerful ways:
The Mercy Seat: In the Old Testament, the mercy seat was where blood was sprinkled to atone for Israel’s sins (Leviticus 16). Jesus’ death is the ultimate sacrifice, His blood covering our sins so we can stand before God forgiven.
The Passover Lamb: Like the lamb whose blood protected Israel from death (Exodus 12), Jesus’ sacrifice shields us from God’s judgment, offering us life instead of death.
The Just and Justifier: Jesus’ death maintains God’s justice while allowing God to justify us, declaring us righteous through faith. He bridges God’s holiness and mercy in a way previously thought impossible.
This grace is incredible. What would it feel like to know your sins are fully covered by Jesus’ sacrifice? Through His death, God doesn’t just forgive us—He restores us to our purpose, to reflect His glory. Jesus is our only hope, the solution to our failure, freely given to all who believe.
Do you see that God doesn't want to punish you? He just wants you to be safe, to be with him forever. He wants you to learn your lesson and stop spurning his purpose for your life.
Fulfilling Our Purpose
Paul’s message in Romans 3:19–26 crescendos with an astonishing claim: everyone who trusts in Jesus’ sacrificial atonement can be justified—declared right with God. Isn’t that incredible? Despite our struggles with sin, our failed attempts to prove we’re good enough, and our excuses, Jesus has done what we could never do. God’s grace frees us from the judgment we deserve, offering us life instead of death.
This gift is for all—Jew or Gentile, religious or not. Through faith, we’re joined to Jesus, His sacrifice covering our sins. We move from deserving judgment to expecting eternal life. But this isn’t automatic. As Paul echoes from Habakkuk 2:4, “The righteous shall live by faith.” He says in verse 22, this righteousness is “through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe.” Those who trust in Jesus are cleansed and begin living out God’s purpose—to reflect His image. But those who reject Him, clinging to pride or self-reliance, miss this grace. Yet God longs for all to turn to Him.
So, do you trust in Jesus’ salvation? Faith isn’t just saying you believe—it’s showing it. Maybe that means confessing your faith today, praying quietly, talking to a pastor, or being baptized to share in Jesus’ death and resurrection. It means living in God’s image—showing His love by forgiving a friend, serving someone in need, or speaking truth with kindness. Jesus doesn’t keep His reward to Himself; He shares it with everyone who humbly follows Him. Will you walk in faith, reflecting God’s glory?
Those who believe will accept Jesus by faith, be cleansed, and live to fulfill their purpose.
Those who disbelieve and stubbornly refuse to admit their failure cannot be forgiven.
God’s grace is truly amazing. Trust Jesus today, and you’ll find forgiveness, purpose, and eternal hope.