Read
What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written:
“None is righteous, no, not one;
no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”
Romans 3:9-12
Reflect
In the days of the early Christians, there was sometimes tension between Jewish believers and Gentile believers. The Jewish Christians had a real history with God. Jesus was Jewish. The Scriptures had come through the Jewish people. God had chosen Israel and given them His law, His promises and His commands.
And all of that mattered.
But Paul also made something painfully clear: none of that meant anyone could stand before God on his own merit.
Jewish believers were not saved because they were Jewish. Gentile believers were not excluded because they were Gentiles. The same sin that plagued one group plagued the other. Sin does not respect family history, religious background, nationality, church attendance or good intentions.
That is why grace is so essential.
Paul’s words in Romans 3 are hard to read because they leave us no room to brag. “None is righteous, no, not one.” That includes the person we think is worse than us. It also includes us. Every one of us needs forgiveness. Every one of us needs redemption. Every one of us needs the mercy of God.
There are no favorites at the foot of the cross.
In the next few days, make a special effort to remember how precious God’s grace really is. Then look for chances to extend that grace to others. Show the love of Christ even when someone does not seem to deserve it.
After all, grace would not be grace if we deserved it.
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Reflection copyright © 2026 Doug DeBolt.
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
