Romans 3:20 says: “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.” (NIV)
It is only through Jesus and what He did on the cross for us that we are declared righteous in God’s sight. Not through the works of the law. Instead, this verse tells us that we become conscious of our sin through the law.
How do you see the law? Do you see it as a way for you to be made right with God? Or to impress God? This is not what the Bible says. The Word of God says that the law was brought in, so that the trespass might increase (Romans 5:20). The NLT puts it like this: “God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.”
God wanted us to realize how much we need a Savior. We need Jesus. We cannot earn our way to heaven, or earn favor with God. It is simply through Jesus and His work on the cross where the Son of God shed His blood to redeem mankind to their loving Creator.
