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“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith” ( Hebrews 11:7 )

It takes faith to build an ark. Only one man has ever needed this kind of faith. Even though Noah had never heard of or experienced rain, let alone the flooding that exists with earth covering amounts of water, he obeyed God when instructed to build the ark. He had only God’s word to counter everything he knew and had previously experienced.

Noah was six hundred years old when the ark was finished and probably endured endless harassment by society during construction. Yet he did not waver in faith but carried out every detail as instructed. This is faith in action. Noah is a text book case of the definition of faith, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” ( Hebrews 11:1 ). He believed God when all indicators of reality pointed another direction.

Backing up to the beginning of this account we see that Noah had found favor in the eyes of the Lord, “The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the LORD said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God” ( Genesis 6:5-9 ).

Noah was righteous and blameless and had a long history of fellowshipping with God. His track record of seeing God true to His word was all the reassurance he needed year after year while building the ark. With each board put in place Noah condemned the world of its wickedness choosing to believe God. Because of this he saved his family, livestock, animal species and future generations while obtaining the righteousness that comes through faith.

Now we have a wonderful reminder of Noah and the covenant that God made with him and future generations that He would never again flood the earth. A rainbow in the sky speaks of this one man’s faith ( Genesis 9:8-17 ). He overcame every obstacle, public humiliation and believed God, condemned the world of its wickedness and inherited the righteousness that comes by faith. What an amazing example to encourage us in our journey!

“For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved” ( Hebrews 10:37-39 )

Faith pleases God, in fact Hebrews 11 records, “without faith it is impossible to please God...” This means that our faith is a baseline. The verse goes on to say, “...because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” ( Hebrews 11:6 ). So it is no surprise that the Bible says that the righteous will live by faith.

We first come to God by faith. We place faith in what Jesus did for us to bring us into fellowship with God. Colossians tells us that in the same way we received Christ we are to continue living in Him ( Colossians 2:6 ). We received Christ by faith so it makes sense that all of our lives we are to continue in faith believing God in all things.

So we learn an important truth in this passage, through faith we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed throughout life, instead we are of those who believe and rise to any occasion because of what God is able to accomplish through us. Paul said that we are more than conquerors ( Romans 8:37 ), nothing in life can stand in our way, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” ( Romans 8:38-39 ). His love enables us to be more than conquerors and to rise up in faith by believing what God has spoken to us in the midst of this world.

We also have a promise that Christ is coming very soon. He will not delay, so as we wait for that glorious day, we are to live by faith knowing without a doubt that this day is quickly approaching. To prepare, this is how we can please God, by trusting Him in all things, By waiting patiently knowing that what He has said will come to pass and by continually standing in faith. Because “we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved” ( Hebrews 10:37-39 ).

“The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God” ( Hebrews 7:18-19 )

The solution to the chasm that sin created is not the Law. As this passage clearly declares using it in this way is weak, useless and ineffective. Paul called the Law the ministry of death ( II Corinthians 3:7 ). So relying on it to bring us into fellowship with God, bridging the gap caused by sin, only brings us death and condemnation.

On the other hand, if it is used in accordance to its true purpose then we will be justified by it. “the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law” ( Galatians 3:24-25 ). The Law was set aside when Jesus ushered in the New Covenant because it was useless in bringing a person into perfect fellowship with God ( Hebrews 7:11 ). The Law defined our sin in relation to God’s holiness. So in essence it accused us before God, bringing further separation instead of reconciliation. Which is why Paul told Timothy, the Law was not made for the righteous man, but for sinners ( I Timothy 1:8-9 ). It showed us the need for a savior. So trusting in Christ to save us is the better hope that this passage is describing by which we draw near to God for reconciliation.

Paul made this very observation about the purpose of the Law in Romans 7, “What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead. Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good. Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful. ( Romans 7:7-13 ).

The main point that the writer is making is that to draw near to God we must set aside the Law, because the Law strengthens sin in our lives increasing its hold on us instead of bringing us the reconciliation we need.  Instead we should cling to the better hope by which we have full access to God.

This blessed hope is in the person of Jesus Christ who has paved the way for us to enter blamelessly into the God’s very presence ( Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 10:19-22 ).  His blood has completely wiped away the effects of sin in our lives once for all ( Hebrews  9:12, Hebrews  9:14, Hebrews  9:26, Hebrews  9:28, Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 10:12, Hebrews 10:14, Hebrews 10:18, Hebrews 10:22 ). This is why we have this access. Jesus imputed His righteousness to us when we believed; the righteousness required to fulfill the entire law. Adherence to the law couldn’t make us righteous because of our sin nature ( Galatians 3:21 ). However Jesus fulfilled it because He was sinless. Then He gave us His Spirit to replace that sin nature when we were born again, which is how He imputed His righteousness to us. This is why He is the better hope by which we can come before God.

When we understand this, it gives us boldness and confidence before God instead of uncertainly and fear. Under the Law, the High Priest was allowed to enter into the Holy of Holies and into the presence of God once a year when he made atonement for the people. However, when Jesus was crucified on the cross the curtain that had separated the people from God’s presence was torn entirely in two from top to bottom ( Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:24 ). This was done by God himself showing us that Jesus paved the way for us to come with full assurance of faith and clean consciences ( Hebrews 10:22 ). His body is now the curtain by which we can freely enter at will ( Hebrews 10:20 ).

This is why the law is set aside when we are saved, because its purpose has been fulfilled in bringing us to Christ to be justified by faith. Now that Jesus is our High Priest, He assures this access eternally. “For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever” ( Hebrews 7:28 ). Jesus is the better hope which gives us confidence before God.

“This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” ( Hebrews 7:1-2 ).

Four kings went to war against the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah and their allies. As the kingdoms fell to the four kings, the defeated people were carried off along with all of their possessions ( Genesis 14 ). This included Abraham’s nephew Lot because he was living in Sodom. When Abraham heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called together 318 trained men born into his household to pursue the kings. He divided his men into two groups and attacked them during the night recovering everything that had been taken. He brought back Lot, the people’s possessions, the women and all the rest of the people that belonged with them.

Abraham restored and redeemed Lot and all the rest of these people when they were taken into captivity. He didn’t keep anything for himself, but everything was returned to the kings and their people. As he was returning from this victory, Melchizedek, priest of the Most High God came out to meet him and blessed him.

Abraham recognized Melchizedek’s position and in return gave him a tenth of the choicest portion of his possessions. This wasn’t demanded of him instead it was a natural response to the favor and blessing he received. This gift was outflow of his heart when Abraham recognized the greatness of Melchizedek. Even the writer of Hebrews marvels at this in verse 4, “Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! ( Hebrews 7:4 ). The priesthood of Melchizedek is a foreshadowing of the priesthood of Jesus. By comparing the two we can gain insight into the role that Jesus holds.

Melchizedek was called a priest of the Most High God. Throughout the New Testament, these words, “Most High” or “highest” are used in reference to Jesus. The term was used when the angel announced to Mary that she would conceive the Messiah. “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David” ( Luke 1:32 ). It was prophesied by Zechariah that John the Baptist would be his forerunner, “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him” ( Luke 1:76 ). The Demons recognized this position of “Most High” as Jesus went about teaching, preaching and healing, “When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won’t torture me!” ( Mark 5:6-7, Luke 8:28, Acts 6:17 ). And the people recognized it when Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, “The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,  “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!” ( Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:10, Luke 19:38 ). It was recognizable to everyone that Jesus was sent by the Most High God.

Secondly, Melchizedek’s name, when translated means ‘King of Righteousness’. Righteousness is the condition of being acceptable to God. To be righteous means that we attain a state approved and acceptable to God. Melchizedek was called the King of Righteousness. Jesus also owns this title. In the first chapter of Hebrews, the writer, quoting from Psalm 45 says, “about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy” ( Hebrews 1:8-9 ). To be the king of something means that your rule is characterized by it. Both Melchizedek’s and Jesus’ kingdoms are signified by righteousness, which means the subjects of those kingdoms also partake in the state of being approved and acceptable to God.

Lastly, Melchizedek was the King of Salem, which many believe was the ancient name for Jerusalem, when translated it means “King of Peace”. Peace is a state of tranquility. Peace is the absence of turmoil in the midst of trouble. Peace to the believer is the tranquil state of the soul assured, secure and content before God. Melchizedek was called the King of Peace just as Isaiah prophesied about the Messiah, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” ( Isaiah 9:6 ). To be the King of Peace means that your subjects enjoy the state of peace. The angels, when announcing Jesus’ birth heralded, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” ( Luke 2:14 ). This peace didn’t exist in the natural realm among mankind; the peace that was announced was peace toward mankind on behalf of God because the Messiah had just born.

Like Melchizedek, Jesus is a priest of the Most High God and we can ascertain characteristics of this role by looking at what the scriptures say about Melchizedek. Like Abraham, we should also recognize the position of Jesus when encountering the many blessings of God. Gratitude for the gifts bestowed on us is the natural response to such blessings. Gaining insight into all of this helps us to understand the role of Jesus, who serves continually as our High Priest before God.

I remember carrying around guilt for a long time. I would constantly remind myself of things I had done. The events would play over and over in my mind and I was ashamed. Whenever, I read this verse I would bring further condemnation upon myself. That is because I did not understand what Paul was really saying. Instead Paul wrote this to encourage us. He is using this as a comparison to help us understand our new nature fashioned after Jesus Christ.

The subject and the good news of this passage is that we are now under the control of righteousness as born again believers. No longer subjected to our old nature. The things of the old nature were obvious, those things brought death, shame and denunciation. Paul is simply reminding us of how it used to be so that we could understand on how it is now.

Galatians 5 paints a pretty good picture of what Paul is talking about here, "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." ( Galatians 5:19-25 ) Paul's conclusion is that the difference between the two natures are so obvious. We are able to see the fruits of each nature operating in people. Those who live according to the sin nature exhibit that natures characteristics. Those who live according to the Spirit demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit. We are those who live by the Spirit.

So this verse in Romans 6, is not a verse of condemnation Paul wanted to make sure we understood the difference between the two natures so that we would know how to live according to our new nature. If you are struggling with thoughts of condemnation, than know that it is not the Lord who is accusing you. He has already forgiven you and freed you from sin's grasp. Paul confirmed this in I Corinthians 6, "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." ( I Corinthians 6:11 ) and if we were washed clean by God... if we were sanctified, which means set apart, by God...and if we were justified, which means, just as if I'd never sinned, by God...then you are free of accusation by God as well.

When I understood this, the all feelings of condemnation disappeared. Since then, the Lord has worked a miracle in my life, because memories of those things are so distant that now when I read this verse, my heart soars knowing what Paul was saying. Those things have passed. Everything that brought shame is gone. Those things resulted in death and benefited you not. "But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." ( Romans 6:17-18 ) Amen!

Today may you free your mind from any guilt and condemnation that continues to hold you in chains. It is not on account of God. He loves you. He has forgiven you. He wants you to be free. Today, may you experience this freedom in Christ Jesus. Amen!

For further information about becoming born again, please visit these article:
The Gospel: How To Know Without a Shadow of a Doubt that You Have Eternal Life
Born of Water and of Spirit

It is amazing to me that God gives us a choice. We have a choice in everything. He does not dictate our every move. We are not His robots. We are however the recipients of everything he appropriated in Christ Jesus. He provided everything that we need to live free in Him on the cross over two thousand years ago. However, it is our choice whether or not we utilize what he has done.

In the previous verse, Paul tells us that "You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." ( Romans 6:18 ). Meaning that this was an accomplished fact. However, Romans 6:16 says, "you are slaves to the one whom you obey-whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?" ( Romans 6:16 ) Meaning that how we act dictates whether or not we truly experience this freedom from sin in our lives. It is a choice.

What Jesus did, was provide this freedom from your old sin nature in your born again spirit. So the natural side will still see some effects of the previous nature. However, It is important to know we have been freed as the starting point. So in today's passage Paul explains to us how to replicate this freedom into the natural realm of what we see and experience. The solution is to offer your body in slavery to righteousness which leads to holiness. The Amplified Bible puts it this way, "I am speaking in familiar human terms because of your natural limitations. For as you yielded your bodily members [and faculties] as servants to impurity and ever increasing lawlessness, so now yield your bodily members [and faculties] once for all as servants to righteousness (right being and doing) [which leads] to sanctification." ( Romans 6:19 Amp ).

In today's verse, Paul makes a switch and talks about the natural realm so that we will see the fruit of what is currently in our spirit overflow into it. Remember It is a choice. The truth is that you have been freed from sin. The application is that you should no longer yield to the old sin nature that is foreign to your new nature. Instead you should yield to the new nature and become slave to that. Your new nature is a nature of righteousness through Christ Jesus. When we yield to him we see the leftover effects of the old nature disappear. The result of yielding to the new nature is holiness. Not obtained through works of the Law but obtain as an effortless byproduct of our new spirit.

Today, I pray that you yield completely to your new born again spirit and become a slave to that. May you experience true holiness branching out from this. God Bless you as you take His word into your heart and watch it grow.

Every thing that Jesus Christ offers us, was provided over two thousand years ago. Forgiveness of sins, eternal life, freedom from death, healing for our bodies... the list goes on and on... all of it was provided when he redeemed mankind from the power of darkness. This is not something we are waiting for, it is something we have in our spirits as born again believers. In today's passage, Paul gives us the key to how we receive this. He wrote that all of these things became present tense realities when we wholeheartedly obeyed what we heard. It happened by faith when we committed ourselves to Jesus.

It took faith. Jesus is what set us free from being a slave to sin, but it was our faith that activated this change in our own hearts and made it a present tense reality. The writer of Hebrews said that "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" ( Hebrews 11:1 KJV ) Which means that when you entrusted the Word of God into your heart, it took root and grew. When ready, by faith you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal savior. It was faith in what Jesus Christ did, two thousand years ago that saved you. God provided the means, but it took faith or action upon our part to become a reality. The writer of Hebrews goes on to say in verse 6 of the same chapter, that "without faith it is impossible to please God" ( Hebrews 11:6 ) which means, that faith pleases him.

Today we can praise God that we are free from slavery because of our faith mixing with God's grace and mercy. No longer kept in bondage to our old nature but freed completely in order that we should become slaves to righteousness overflowing from our new nature. Today, I pray that this revelation sinks deep into your heart and yields much fruit! Amen

What about sin? Should we allow sin to dwell in our lives considering that God has completely forgiven us? For we know that Jesus paid the price for the sins of the entire world upon the cross, ( 1 John 2:2, Hebrews 10:12 ). And if your sins were forgiven 2000 years ago, then does it matter if you continue to sin as born again believers?

The Apostle Paul must have run into this question on many occasions because he spent the entire chapter refuting the reason not to continue in sin. The first half of this passage we saw that the number one reason not to continue sinning was because we had been freed from it. It was part of our redemption through Christ's blood. Our emancipation to the bondage of sin was broken when Christ ascended to heaven. So why continue in something that was foreign to our new nature, fashioned after Jesus in righteousness and holiness.

Today's verse is very similar to a question raised in the beginning of this chapter. Should we continue in sin because we are operating under the covenant of grace and not out of bondage to the Law? Paul's response is the same, an emphatic no. Not only have we have been freed from sin, but the number two reason not to continue in sin is because it opens the door to the devil. If we continue to sin, then God is not mad at us, we are still saved, loved and forgiven. However, we don't sin because the devil is not as gracious. He will not give a second thought to reeking havoc in your life because of it. If we sin then we are just inviting him in to mess with us. Paul concludes that we will become slaves to whatever force we yield to. Although we have been set free by Jesus, if we continue to allow Satan to operate in our lives then regardless we will be subjected to him.

That is why we should remove sin from our lives. Not in order to please God, we already do that based on the blood of Jesus. But we should remove it because we are freed from it and to remain free we have to block any avenue that Satan will try to access. Today I praise God that Jesus destroyed the works of the devil ( I John 3:8 ) and set us free in the process. May you find great liberty in knowing and implementing this truth in your life.

Growing up, one of the many verses that I memorized was Romans 3:23, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." While this verse is true and something that the apostle Paul has been building a case for, in the previous chapters, the main focus of this passage of scripture are the verses that surround this statement.

Even though we were immersed in sin and could not obtain the righteous requirements of the Law, God revealed a righteousness completely separate and independent of the Law. This righteousness comes by faith in Jesus to all who believe. The righteousness that Paul is describing is the righteousness that God ascribes too. It is perfect and holy. Through faith in Jesus, we received this righteousness as a gift. Not a flawed human righteousness, but God's righteousness. Paul said in II Corinthians 5:21, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." Jesus literally became sin, the very thing he hated and despised, in order that we could become righteous, the very thing we were incapable of being through the Law. It is truly amazing!

So even though everyone sinned, both Jews and Gentiles and fell short of the virtue that God ascribes to, we are justified freely through the grace that was provided in Christ Jesus. Now it is important to recognize that everyone has sinned and everyone has been forgiven through Jesus. When Christ suffered upon the cross, he suffered and paid the price for the sins of the entire world. Past, present and future . I John 2:2 says, "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." meaning that while he completed the atoning work upon the cross he took care of every sin that will ever be committed, thus completely finishing his work and conquering death in the process. Romans 6:10 says, "The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God." Since he broke the power of sin, he cannot die again, he did it once for all.

Now, does this mean that everyone is saved if everyone's sin has been paid for. No. Although it is true that the gift of God grace has been purchased for all and offered to all, the righteousness that is required by God only comes through Faith in Jesus Christ. We must believe and put our faith into action to accept this free gift in order to be saved. Ephesians 2:8 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" so saving grace works through faith. God simply took away sin so that it wasn't an issue with Him in order to extend the gift of His grace to us. But God wants relationship, that is why He doesn't force this grace onto anyone. He allows us to choose. He chose us. He called us. He provided the way for us. But He doesn't force us to choose Him. He desires for us to choose Him, but the fact remains that we must put our faith in Jesus in order to obtain the righteous of God that the Law could not provide for us.

The important thing to take away is that by His grace, through our faith, we are freely justified. While I was memorizing verses as a kid, we also memorized definitions to big words like justification. Justification means, 'just as if I'd never sinned." and If I am justified or it is 'just as if I'd never sinned' then I am righteous before God through faith. Today, I praise God through Jesus Christ that he became sin so that we could become righteous holy, completely forgiven and justified. Today I pray that you take this amazing truth and live a life worthy of your calling because you have been bought with a high price and with the precious blood of the Lamb.

I recently started meeting weekly with my cousin who just became born again. We discuss a lot of things, but one thing that came up, was how the Old Testament seems dramatically different then the New Testament. I told her that she must read the Old Testament in light of what Jesus did for us in the New Testament. To her, that made perfect sense in putting all the pieces together. However, this is not a New Testament principal. The Law, was always intended to be understood, in view of the promised Messiah.

At this point in Romans, Paul is making a major shift in thinking. His statement is radical for the Jew, and for many Christians today. The righteousness of God has been revealed independently and altogether apart from the Law. For the Jew who has followed rules, regulations and the Law their entire life, this would be a hard pill to swallow.

The Jews had always hoped to obtain righteousness with God through the Law, but Paul says that this right standing is altogether independent of the Law. This might seem like a new doctrine, but Paul claims that it is what the Law and the Prophets testified about all along.

Mercy and grace was present in the Old Testament, through sacrifices prescribe by the Law. Because of this, it would have been easy to interpret that forgiveness and grace came about by fulfilling as much of the Law as they could. Paul is saying that this wasn't the Law's intent, the intent was to show the pattern of the One to come. Colossians 2:17 says, that "These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ." So the righteousness of the Law was a type or representation of what was coming. And grace and righteousness came through Christ Jesus independent of the Law.

In the previous verses Paul utterly destroyed any hope of obtaining that right standing with God through adherence to the Law. Our only hope rested upon a Savior. Today we understand that the Law actually foretold of the righteousness given to us by Christ and hope that God promised to us by sending the Messiah. This righteousness was independent of the Law and it put us in right standing with God. Today, take a moment to thank God and Jesus for this righteousness that was made available for us apart from works of the Law.