Righteousness Through Faith
Romans 4:1–3 (NLT)
1 Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? 2 If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. 3 For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
Message
See verse 1a.
1a Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation.
Abraham’s original name was Abram. God commanded him to leave his native country, his relatives, and his father’s family, and go to the land He would show him (Genesis 12:1). God promised to make him into a great nation (Genesis 12:2a), which is now called Israel. Therefore, Abraham is the forefather and founder of the nation of Israel.
See verse 1b.
1b What did he discover about being made right with God?
Was Abraham made right with God by his “good deeds”? (2a).
If that had been true, he would have had something to boast about (2b). But that was not God’s way (2c).
The answer is found in verse 3, which quotes Genesis 15:6.
3 For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
This statement was written in Genesis 15:6 when Abram was 85 years old. It had been about ten years since God first called him to leave his country, his relatives and his father’s household.
Yet, Abram still had no child. He was even considering his servant as his heir (Genesis 15:2, 3). But God promised that he would have a son of his own and descendants as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:4, 5).
See Genesis 15:6 NTL.
6 And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.
Despite his advanced age and the long waiting period of ten years — and still counting — Abraham believed God and trusted the future God had promised him: his own son and countless descendants.
At that very moment, God counted him as righteous — not because of his works, but because of his faith.
Justified by Faith Alone: The End of Boasting and the Law’s True Fulfillment
Romans 3:27–31 (NLT)
27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. 28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.
29 After all, is God the God of the Jews only? Isn’t he also the God of the Gentiles? Of course he is. 30 There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. 31 Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.
Message
I. The End of Boasting: Justified by Faith, Not by Works (27–28)
See verse 27a.
27a Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God?
To answer this question, we need to read Romans 3:23-26. Since all have sinned and cannot save themselves, and since we are justified freely by God’s grace through faith in Christ’s sacrifice — not by works of obeying the law — there is no room for human boasting. Verse 27b answers this question:
27b No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith.
Verse 28 presents the conclusion of the question and answer in verse 27. We are justified by faith, not by works of the law.
Faith excludes pride because salvation is entirely God’s work.
II. One God, One Way: All Are Justified by Faith (29–30)
Both the Jews and the Gentiles are made right with God only by faith (29, 30). The gospel unites all people under one gracious principle: faith alone.
III. Faith Establishes the Law: The Law’s True Fulfillment (31)
Then, we have a question. See verse 31a.
31a Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law?
The answer is written in verse 31b.
31b Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.
Faith does not abolish the law. Faith establishes its true purpose.
Jesus gave us relevant lessons as follows:
Matthew 5:17–19 (NLT)
17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Jesus did not come to abolish the Law, but to accomplish its purpose.
Matthew 13:52 (NLT)
52 Then he added, “Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.”
Here, old gems mean the truths revealed in the Old Testament. New gems mean the truths revealed in Jesus and His Kingdom. The Old Testament remains a treasure. Jesus and His Kingdom bring its fulfillment and fuller revelation. A mature disciple integrates both.
To understand this — that believers receive the Holy Spirit and therefore fulfill the Law not merely by literal observance but by walking according to the Spirit — we must understand the work of the Holy Spirit.
Read John 16:13–15 (NLT).
The relevant message can be found here:
https://www.comnc.org/the-role-of-the-holy-spirit-and-persecution-foretold/
A related song based on John 16:13–15, The Spirit of Truth, is available on streaming platforms:
https://push.fm/fl/m6nhptlv
The Cross: Where God’s Justice and Mercy Meet
Romans 3:25c–26 (NLT)
25c This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
Message
God is both just and merciful.
- Because of His justice, sin must be punished.
- Because of His mercy, sinners are forgiven or made right with God
There is a question to answer:
“If God is just, why did He not punish those who sinned in times past?”
Today let us study Romans 3:25c-26 (NLT) and find the answer.
I. The Sacrifice That Shows God Is Fair (v. 25c)
See verse 25c.
25c This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past,
Here, “This sacrifice” is Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, where He bled and died for our sin (Romans 3:25a-b).
Paul declares that this sacrifice shows God was fair when He didn’t punish those who sinned in times past.
II. God’s Forward-Looking Justice (v. 26a)
See verse 26a.
26a for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness,
God did not ignore sin in the past. He postponed its punishment until Christ. At the cross, sin was fully judged, and God’s righteousness was publicly demonstrated.
III. God’s Justice and Mercy Meet at the Cross (v. 26b)
See verse 26b.
26b for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
Because Jesus bore the penalty of sin, God can remain just while declaring righteous those who believe in Him.
The cross is where God’s justice is satisfied and His grace is given.
God’s Justice Satisfied, His Grace Given Through Christ: The Greatest Love in Action That Restored Us
Romans 3:24b–25b (NLT)
24b He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.
Message
I. Made Right Through Christ: Grace Given, Justice Satisfied
Last week we saw that God is gracious—He forgives sin—but He does not excuse the guilty.
Romans 3:24b–25b now shows how God’s grace can make sinners right while His justice remains fully satisfied through Jesus Christ.
God freed us from the penalty for our sins through Christ Jesus (24b). God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin (25a). People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood (25b).
II. The Greatest Love in Action: Christ’s Sacrifice and Our Restoration
Jesus laid down His life for His friends, calling us “His friends,” who are invited to follow the greatest love in action that He demonstrated (John 15:13-15). This love is not sentimental or abstract—it is the very way God’s grace was given to us. As Romans 3:24b–25b explains, God made sinners right with Himself by presenting Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. By laying down His life, Jesus bore the penalty for our sins, satisfying God’s justice while extending God’s grace. Through faith in His shed blood, we are no longer treated as guilty sinners but welcomed into a restored relationship with God (John 16:23-27)—as friends who now live out that same love.
Grace That Makes Us Right — Without Excusing Guilt
Romans 3:24a (NLT)
24a Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight.
Message
We studied the universal reality of sin and falling short of God’s glory in Romans 3:23. What, then, makes us right with God in His sight? Verse 24a gives the answer:
24a Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight.
It is ‘grace’ of God. God’s grace and justice is expressed in Exodus 34:6-7 NLT:
6a The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out,
“Yahweh! The Lord!
6b The God of compassion and mercy!
I am slow to anger
and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.
7a I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations.
7b I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin.
7c But I do not excuse the guilty.
7d I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren;
the entire family is affected—
even children in the third and fourth generations.”
God forgives sin (Exodus 34:7b). However, if a person refuses to repent and remains in a state of guilt, God does not excuse the guilty (Exodus 34:7c). So, it is essential to trust that God is compassionate, merciful, slow to anger, and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness (Exodus 34:6b). In light of who He is, we are called to confess and repent our sins so that we may receive His forgiveness.
Falling Short of God’s Glory: Sin, Shame, and the Loss of Openness
Romans 3:23 (NLT)
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
Message
See verse 23.
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
God created human beings in God’s own image (Genesis 1:27). They are called Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:20). Their fall is described in Genesis 3. Despite of God’s command (Genesis 2:16-17), they disobeyed Him and ate the fruits from the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3:6). Previously their moral judgments came from God. Through this sin of distrust (Genesis 3:4-5) and disobedience (Genesis 3:6), they separated themselves from God and began making their moral judgments independently. As a result, they felt shame at their nakedness (Genesis 3:7). Before the sin, they felt no shame at their nakedness (Genesis 2:25), indicating complete openness before God and each other.
Because humans bear God’s image, they possess moral awareness and self-reflection. When sin separated them from God and from God’s glory, that awareness produced shame rather than openness. Shame indicates the presence of God’s image in us, but without the experience of God’s glory that humanity once had. Verse 23 then says that everyone has sinned and now falls short of that glory.
What, then, is the solution humanity needs? It is not a return to physical nakedness, but restored openness before God through the restoration of our relationship with Him. This restored relationship brings back the experience of God’s glory that humanity once had. How is this possible? We will answer this question in the coming weeks as we study the remaining verses.
In the meantime, meditate on John 16:16–30 and listen to the related song: The Restoration of Relationship with God through the Redemption of Jesus (based on Gospel of John 16:16–30)
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Made Right With God—Apart from the Law and Available to All Who Believe
Romans 3:21–22 (NLT)
21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
Message
In Romans 3:9–20, Paul concludes that all humanity—Jews and Gentiles alike—is under the power of sin. Scripture itself testifies that no one is righteous and no one seeks God. The Law, therefore, cannot justify anyone; it exposes sin, silences every excuse, and shows the whole world to be guilty before God. By the end of Romans 3:20, every human claim to self-righteousness is shut down—preparing the way for what God Himself now reveals.
After declaring that all people are under the power of sin and that no one can be made right with God by the law (Romans 3:9–20), Paul now turns to one of the most decisive statements in Scripture. If the Law exposes sin but cannot save, the pressing question is this: Is there any hope for humanity?
Romans 3:21–22 answers that question.
I. “But now” — A decisive turning point (21a)
See verse 21a.
But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law,
Paul begins with the words, “But now,” signaling a dramatic shift. Everything before this point has revealed humanity’s guilt, silence without excuse, and inability to justify itself before God. What follows is not a human solution, but God’s intervention. Being made right with God that humanity lacks is now revealed by God Himself.
Being made right with God is not achieved by keeping the law. That does not mean the Law was wrong or useless. The Law shows what being made right with God looks like (Romans 3:20), but it does not provide the power to attain it (Romans 8:3-4).
II. Promised in the Writings of Moses and the Prophets (21b)
See verse 21b.
as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago.
Although this being made right with God is not achieved by keeping the law, it is not a new or foreign idea. Paul emphasizes that it is “promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago.” In other words, the Old Testament itself pointed forward to this moment.
The same Scriptures that testified to human sinfulness (Romans 3:10–18) also testified to God’s plan to make us right with God, not through our own law‑keeping, but through divine grace (See Genesis 15:6, Psalm 32:1-2, Ezekiel 36:25-27, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Isaiah 53:5-6).
III. Made Right With God by Placing Our Faith in Jesus Christ (22a)
See verse 22a.
We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.
Paul now shows how we are made right with God:
It is “by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.”
Being made right with God:
- originates from God, not humans
- is received, not earned
- comes through faith, not works
Faith here is not merely intellectual agreement (James 2:19; John 2:23–25), but genuine faith in Jesus Christ as God’s provision for salvation (John 6:68; Matthew 16:16–17; John 3:5)—a faith that is followed by deeds (James 2:20) and obedience (John 14:15). What the Law could not do because of human weakness, God has done through Christ.
IV. For Everyone Who Believes, No Matter Who We Are (22b)
See verse 22b.
And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
Finally, Paul makes the scope clear beyond doubt:
Being made right with God is “for everyone who believes.”
This directly answers the earlier question in Romans 3:9: Are Jews better than others? The answer remains no. Just as sin is universal, God’s offer to make people right with Himself is universally available—but it is received only through faith. Ethnic background, religious privilege, or moral effort give no advantage here. All people stand equally in need of grace before the cross.
Conclusion
Romans 3:21–22 stands as the great gospel turning point. After the Law has exposed sin and silenced every excuse, God reveals a way of being made right with Him that humans could never produce on their own. This “being made right with God” is not achieved by human effort, but received by believing. It is God’s gift, given through faith in Jesus Christ, and offered to all without distinction.
The Law reveals our sin, but grace provides salvation.
All People Are Sinners: The Testimony of Scripture and the Purpose and Limitation of the Law
Romans 3:9–20 (NLT)
9 Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin. 10 As the Scriptures say,
“No one is righteous—
not even one.
11 No one is truly wise;
no one is seeking God.
12 All have turned away;
all have become useless.
No one does good,
not a single one.”
13 “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
Their tongues are filled with lies.”
“Snake venom drips from their lips.”
14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
15 “They rush to commit murder.
16 Destruction and misery always follow them.
17 They don’t know where to find peace.”
18 “They have no fear of God at all.”
19 Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. 20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
Message
I. The Universal Sinfulness of Humanity (9–18)
After Romans 1:18-3:8, Paul concludes that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin (9b). To truly understand the depth of our sin, we must look into the law, because the law reveals God’s standard and exposes how far we fall short of it. Verses 10b-17 provide scriptural support for this conclusion.
The following is provided to assist readers in further self-study by showing how Paul’s argument in Romans 3:10–18 is grounded in earlier Scripture.
Verses 10b-13 (NLT) are derived from Psalm 14:1-4, 53:1-3.
Verses 10b-13 (NLT):
“No one is righteous—
not even one.
11 No one is truly wise;
no one is seeking God.
12 All have turned away;
all have become useless.
No one does good,
not a single one.”
Psalm 14:1–3 (NLT):
1 Only fools say in their hearts,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;
not one of them does good!
2 The Lord looks down from heaven
on the entire human race;
he looks to see if anyone is truly wise,
if anyone seeks God.
3 But no, all have turned away;
all have become useless.
No one does good,
not a single one!
Psalm 53:1-3 (NLT) is identical to Psalm 14:1-3 (NLT).
Verse 13a is same to the 2nd half of Psalm 5:9 (NLT).
Verse 13 a:
“Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
Their tongues are filled with lies.”
Psalm 5:9 (NLT):
My enemies cannot speak a truthful word.
Their deepest desire is to destroy others.
Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
Their tongues are filled with lies.
Verse 13 b is from Psalm 140:3 (NLT).
Verse 13b:
“Snake venom drips from their lips.”
Psalm 140:3 (NLT)
Their tongues sting like a snake;
the venom of a viper drips from their lips.
Verse 14 is same to the 1st half of Psalm 10:7 (NLT)
Verse 14:
“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
Psalm 10:7 (NLT):
Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.
Trouble and evil are on the tips of their tongues.
Verses 15-17 are from Isaiah 59:7-8 (NLT).
Verses 15-17:
15 “They rush to commit murder.
16 Destruction and misery always follow them.
17 They don’t know where to find peace.”
Isaiah 59:7–8 (NLT):
7 Their feet run to do evil,
and they rush to commit murder.
They think only about sinning.
Misery and destruction always follow them.
8 They don’t know where to find peace
or what it means to be just and good.
They have mapped out crooked roads,
and no one who follows them knows a moment’s peace.
Verse 18 is the 2nd half of Psalm 36:1 (NLT).
Verse 18:
“They have no fear of God at all.”
Psalm 36:1 (NLT):
Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts.
They have no fear of God at all.
Old Testament Sources of Romans 3:10b–18
| Romans Passage (NLT) | Quotation / Theme | Old Testament Source (NLT) | Relationship |
| Romans 3:10b–12 | “No one is righteous… No one does good, not a single one.” | Book of Psalms 14:1–3 | Direct quotation |
| Psalm 53:1–3 | Identical to Psalm 14:1–3 | ||
| Romans 3:13a | “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies.” | Psalm 5:9 (second half) | Direct quotation |
| Romans 3:13b | “Snake venom drips from their lips.” | Psalm 140:3 | Direct quotation |
| Romans 3:14 | “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” | Psalm 10:7 (first half) | Direct quotation |
| Romans 3:15–17 | “They rush to commit murder… They don’t know where to find peace.” | Book of Isaiah 59:7–8 | Condensed quotation |
| Romans 3:18 | “They have no fear of God at all.” | Psalm 36:1 (second half) | Direct quotation |
II. The Purpose and Limitation of the Law (19–20)
See verses 19-20.
19 Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. 20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
James 2:10 (NLT) says,
10 For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.
Therefore, “No one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands.” (20a) The law shows the entire world is guilty before God (19b) and how sinful we are (20b). Romans 7:7, 8:3 also support what verse 20 says.
Romans 7:7 (NLT)
7 Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is sinful? Of course not! In fact, it was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known that coveting is wrong if the law had not said, “You must not covet.”
Romans 8:3 (NLT)
3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.
The only true source of righteousness and salvation is God’s grace through faith in Christ (Romans 3:22).
When Human Reasoning Tries to Justify Sin
Romans 3:5–8 (NLT)
5 “But,” some might say, “our sinfulness serves a good purpose, for it helps people see how righteous God is. Isn’t it unfair, then, for him to punish us?” (This is merely a human point of view.) 6 Of course not! If God were not entirely fair, how would he be qualified to judge the world? 7 “But,” someone might still argue, “how can God condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory?” 8 And some people even slander us by claiming that we say, “The more we sin, the better it is!” Those who say such things deserve to be condemned.
Message
I. A Question From Mere A Human Point of View (5)
Paul has established that human unfaithfulness does not nullify God’s faithfulness (Romans 3:3-4). Paul now confronts a dangerous human objection that attempts to turn God’s righteousness into a justification for sin. See verse 5.
5 “But,” some might say, “our sinfulness serves a good purpose, for it helps people see how righteous God is. Isn’t it unfair, then, for him to punish us?” (This is merely a human point of view.)
In Paul’s example, some say, “Our sinfulness helps people see how righteous God is.” (5a) This statement expresses as if our sin is ‘necessary’ for God’s glory. They continue to say, “Isn’t it unfair, then, for him to punish us?” (5b)
II. God’s Glory Is Revealed Without Our Sin (Romans 1:20, Psalm 19:1-14)
But our sin is not necessary for God to reveal His glory.
Romans 1:20 (NLT) says,
20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
According to Romans 1:20 (NLT), God’s creation itself testifies about God. We can know and experience God’s glory by observing what He has made.
Psalm 19:1-6 (NLT) reinforces this truth:
“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.”
The heavens do not require human sin to proclaim God’s glory. They speak continuously without a sound or word (Psalm 19:2-3a) —yet their message reaches the entire world (Psalm 19:3b-4a NLT). The radiant sun moves across the sky, and nothing is hidden from its heat (Psalm 19:4b-6)
Psalm 19:7-14 then shifts from creation to God’s law. See Psalm 19:13 (NLT).
“Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin.”
We learn what is right by meditating on God’s law—whether written in Scripture (Romans 3:2) or written on our hearts (Romans 2:15). God’s revelation through creation and His law guides us toward righteousness; sin is never required for God to be known or glorified.
When we see the sun shining in the sky, let us remember that God gave His law for our good just as surely as He gave us the sun. The sun brings warmth, light, and life; God’s law brings wisdom, guidance, and protection. To grasp this truth more deeply, take time to read Psalm 19—or revisit Section II of this message.
III. Paul’s Conclusion (6-8)
Paul declares in verse 6 that God is fair in judging everyone. In verse 7, Paul explains that an individual might raise the same argument that some raise in verse 5. The argument is this: a person’s dishonesty highlights God’s truthfulness, and as a result, his sin appears to bring more glory to God. Therefore, he concludes that God should not judge him.
Paul shows that this human way of reasoning leads directly to the claim in verse 8a:
“And some people even slander us by claiming that we say, ‘The more we sin, the better it is!’”
Paul then gives his conclusion in verse 8b:
“Those who say such things deserve to be condemned.”
Paul warns that thinking sin benefits God or should be overlooked is wrong, and those who say such things are rightly judged by God.
God Remains Faithful Even When We Fail
Romans 3:3–4 (NLT)
3 True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful? 4 Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say about him,
“You will be proved right in what you say,
and you will win your case in court.”
Message
Paul declared that the physical circumcision is meaningless without a life obedient to God’s law. He defined who a true Jew is in Romans 2:28-29. He then pointed out the benefit of being a Jew (Romans 3:1): the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God (Romans 3:2).
Today, let us study Romans 3:3-4.
Verse 3 begins with “True” —Paul’s acknowledgement of the point he made in Romans 3:2. But immediately, he raised a critical question,
“Some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful?”
Paul answers this question decisively in verse 4. See verse 4a.
4a Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true.
To explain and support this answer, Paul quotes Psalm 51:4b in verse 4b.
“You will be proved right in what you say,
and you will win your case in court.”
David was Israel’s greatest king, a shadow of the Messiah to come. He didn’t just make a private moral mistake. He committed one of the worst moral failures recorded in Scripture —the crime of adultery and murder. David wrote Psalm 51 when he repented of his sin —his adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, and his murder of Uriah.
Yet David’s failure did not mean that God failed. God disciplined David and eventually sent the Messiah to save us from our sins.
