10As it is written: ˝There is...

10As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one;

11there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.

12All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."

- P48

20Therefore 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. - P49

Paul states that Jews and Gentiles alike are under the power of sin. He quotesScripture to show that no one is righteous, no one understands, and no oneseeks God. All people‘s words and actions are corrupt. The Law speaks tothose under it so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world isheld accountable to God. - P49

The Law reveals that no one is declared righteous based on status or heri-tage. Although the Jewish people have access to God‘s Law, following theLaw is not sufficient to absolve them of their sins. Paul reinforces his mes-sage by quoting Scripture, showing that the message of human sinfulnesshas been communicated by God from the very beginning.  - P50

Scripture actsas a mirror, revealing our sinfulness and insufficiency and our desperateneed for God.  - P50

The Bible offers us wisdom on morality and ethics, but itsprimary purpose is not about giving us rules to follow. God‘s Word helpsus recognize why we need Him to rescue us from sin.  - P50

We are humbled andstripped away of our illusions of self-sufficiency as we realize that salvationcannot be earned; it is received. - P50

Dear Jesus, thank you for making us right with God when we put our faith inYou.  - P51

Help us to keep depending on You every day. In Your name, amen. - P51

4Not at all! Let God be true,...

4Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: "So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge."

5But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) - P42

Paul expounds on the advantages of being a Jew and the value of circum-cision. He says that God‘s faithfulness is not invalidated by human unfaith-fulness. Some argue that since human unrighteousness accentuates God‘srighteousness, God should not condemn anyone. However, Paul rejects theidea that the Lord is unjust in bringing wrath upon sinners - P43

Some of Paul’s readers may question the value of Jewish heritage when God saves everyone by grace through faith, but Paul explains that the Jews have the blessing of having been entrusted with the very words of God. As we see in the Old Testament, the Jews were God’s chosen people, and they were also the first group to receive the gospel message. Although some may have been unfaithful, this does not nullify God’s faithfulness. This is an encouragement to us. - P44

We should remain faithful to God, but even if we fail, we can trust that God will remain faithful to us. His love does not waver or change, and He will fulfill every one of the promises He has made. - P44

In these verses, Paul addresses the mistaken claim that the more sin Godforgives, the more appealing and amazing it makes His forgiveness appear,
as though sin actually serves a good purpose. This is obviously not true!
This way of thinking abuses God‘s free gift of grace and takes advantage ofHis mercy.
God‘s kindness is meant to lead us to repentance, not more sin.
- P44

When we realize the extent of God‘s mercy and His willingness to forgive usas we fall far short of His perfect holiness, we should respond with gratitudeand surrender, remembering that we were rescued from death and adoptedinto His family. He gave us His life, and we dedicate ours to Him. Whatwonderful truth!
- P44

Dear God, You have been merciful, patient, and faithful to Your people. - P45

I recognize that the grace and mercy You show me are undeserved, and I accept them freely as gifts that I could never repay. - P45

Help me to never take Your kindness for granted. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P45

God converses with us primarily through His words in Scripture.
We can also use His words to respond to Him.
Use the following guide to pray through this week‘s memory verse.
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed-a righteousness that is byfaith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
- Romans 1:17 - P45

21you, then, who teach others...

21you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?

22You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

23You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?

24As it is written: "God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."
- P38

28A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.

29No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.

- P39

Paul addresses those who call themselves Jews and rely on the Law. Thoughthey teach others, they break the Law themselves, which leads to Gentilesblaspheming God‘s name. What really matters is not being a Jew outwardlyor circumcision as an outward sign but the circumcision of the heart by theSpirit. A person circumcised in heart will receive praise from God. - P39

Some of God’s people take pride in knowing His Law and boast about their special relationship with Him, but they dishonor Him with their hypocrisy. They teach and preach about the Law, but they break the Law themselves. We may know Scripture very well. We may even be able to preach or teach it. - P40

However, if we do not obey God’s Word, then we are blaspheming His name. We are not representing Christ. Let us remember what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross and not only know what God commands but also obey it. - P40

May we seek to both know God’s will and follow it so that we q1might bring honor and glory to Him. - P40

For the Jews, the ritual of circumcision demonstrates that they are God‘schosen people. However, as many Gentiles become Christians, they donot show their dedication through circumcision; they demonstrate theirfaithfulness to God by obeying His commands. Those who faithfully obeyGod become better representatives of His people than those who may becircumcised physically and know the Law but fail to obey it.  - P40

Sometimes, weare overly concerned with outward appearances, acting out of spiritual prideso that we might receive the praises of people. However, the true follower ofGod is one who has accepted the circumcision of the heart by committingthemselves entirely to Him. Instead of following religious traditions with asense of pride, we can humbly dedicate our lives to God. - P40

Heavenly Father, I confess that I sometimes care too much about the praises of other people when all I really need is You. Keep my heart from becoming prideful. Make me humble, and remind me of how desperately I need You. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen - P41

The people were very proud oftheir spiritual heritage as nearly everyone considered themselves a memberof the state-sponsored church. They knew about Jesus, but they did notwant to hear about sin or their need for forgiveness; they felt that they weremorally good enough.
We can easily build such walls ourselves if we are not careful. Spiritual prideis a dangerous form of sin because it can so easily take root in a devotedcheart and grow like a cancer, twisting and deforming our perspective, re-orienting our confidence away from Jesus and toward ourselves. Instead ofrecognizing our need for Christ, we begin to place our confidence in thegood deeds we do or the religious traditions we follow - P41

Paul says that anyone who pas...

Paul says that anyone who passes judgment is without excuse because theydo the same things. God‘s judgment is based on truth and His kindness ismeant to lead people to repentance. God will repay everyone according towhat they have done; both Jews and Gentiles will be held accountable whenHe judges people‘s secret thoughts. - P35

1You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

2Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.

3So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?

- P34

God does not show favoritism in His righteous judgment. His people should not assume that they are superior and condemn others for their sins. These verses remind us of the hypocrisy of passing judgment on other people while committing sins ourselves. - P36

The truth is that no one is able to escape God’s judgment. Sometimes we are quick to take advantage of God’s love and patience toward us, but we should actually respond with repentance when we experience His kindness. Instead of being stubborn and unrepentant, we should recognize the grace we have received and persist in doing good for His glory and honor. - P36

We should remember that, despite our rebellion and sinfulness, God made a way for us to receive His forgiveness because of His righteousness.
- P36

The Jews are familiar with God‘s Law, but simply knowing His Law doesnot lead to being declared righteous in His sight and being exempt fromjudgment. Those who know God‘s Law are also judged by that Law, andthey are declared righteous when they obey the Law.  - P36

Those who do notknow God‘s Law are still accountable for their actions. They cannot claimignorance or innocence because everyone has a conscience that guides theirmorality. Their conscience acts as a divine law written on their hearts, help-ing them know what is right and wrong.  - P36

Therefore,
everyone can understand the gospel; we all know that we need the saving work of Jesus tocleanse us from our sin. - P36

Dear God, You are so merciful. I am immensely grateful that Jesus gave His life for me so that I could be cleansed from my sin and receive Your forgiveness. Help me to never take this grace for granted. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. - P37

18The wrath of God is being r...

18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

20For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

- P30

24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.

25They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

- P30

26Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones.

27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

28Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.

- P31

29They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,

30slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;

31they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy.

32Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
- P31

The wrath of God is being revealed against all godlessness and wickednessby which people suppress the truth. Even though God‘s eternal power anddivine nature have been made plain to them, they neither glorify nor thankGod but exchange His truth for lies and follow their sinful desires.  - P31

Therefore,
God gives them over to a depraved mind. - P31

God’s eternal power and divine nature can be seen in creation, but when people embrace wickedness, they suppress the truth. They recognize God’s hand in the world, but they do not glorify or give thanks to Him. They claim to be wise but foolishly worship idols that look like human beings or animals rather than worshiping the Lord. Those who do not believe in Jesus are able to detect the power and nature of God, but they ignore the truth when they choose godlessness. - P32

As Christians, we know and have experienced much of God’s eternal power and divine nature, but we, too, should be wary because we can also suppress the truth when we choose sin and idolatry over God.
- P32

Paul describes the severity of many kinds of sin and the harm they produce.
The consequences of sins like sexual impurity and murder may be obvious,
but Paul also mentions subtler sins such as envy, gossip, arrogance, and disloyalty. Any of these sins can ruin not only the person engaging in them butalso the people around them.  - P32

Scripture warns those who know that theiractions deserve God‘s judgment yet continue in their sins and even approveof others who practice them. God does not force us to comply to His willbut those who continue in sin and encourage others to sin will meet severeconsequences for their actions. To those who truly repent, however, Godfreely offers forgiveness. - P32

Dear God, I am in awe of Your eternal power and divine nature. I confess that there are times when I have allowed idols to tempt me away from You. - P33

Please reveal any sinful tendencies in my life and help me fight their pull. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P33

When sinful patterns including envy, gossip, and arrogance start to arise inus, the people who know us best can recognize and call out the behavior wemay not even realize we have adopted. This requires trust and vulnerability,
not only on the part of the sinner, but also on the part of the one calling outthe sinful behavior. Such conversations are possible when close relationshipshave been built over time on a strong foundation, cultivating a willingnesson both parties to give and receive love and truth.
I  - P33

am grateful to have family members and friends who love the Lord, andI am open to their correction and rebuke. It can sting a bit at the time, butI welcome their words and actions because I know they love me and desirethe best for me. I experience God‘s goodness and grace when they speak thetruth. They catch me when I 
falter in my walk with the Lord and help mein the sanctification process of becoming more like Christ. - P33