Week 2 | Day 5
SINNERS IN NEED OF A SAVIOR
Romans 3:9-20
Paul brings his argument to a sobering verdict—there is no one righteous…not even one. Both Jews and Gentiles alike are subject to the power, pain, and penalty of sin equally – and our minds, motives, mouths, and movements testify against us. Thus, no matter how good we might think we are, we are in fact—NOT! We are all sinners. Even worse, there is no amount of Law keeping that declare us righteous—because the Law was never intended to be a means for humanity to access God’s grace. Instead, its purpose was to establish a standard of holiness that no one can attain in order to reveal to everyone that they miss the mark of God’s perfection. Thus, in many ways, the Law functions as a mirror, making us conscious of sin and shutting every bragging mouth before a holy God. Spiritually, we are ptōchos—destitute, bankrupt sinners who are unable and incapable of paying even a penny toward our debt of sin. Of course, this is the point: no one can save themselves because self-salvation i impossible. But thanks be to God for Jesus - our indispensable Savior.
Application
1. Own the Diagnosis
Stop defending, comparing, or minimizing sin. Instead, pray, “Lord, show me what Your Law exposes about my true nature and identify any wicked, hurtful way in me (see Psalm 139).
2. Abandon Self-Rescue
Rule-keeping and being good cannot justify. Lay down your résumé and lean fully on Jesus’ finished work.
3. Believe—and Keep Believing
Make faith not just your starting line but your daily posture. Begin each day praying— “Jesus, You are my righteousness; I trust You to lead, cleanse, and keep me.”
4. Let the Law Lead to Love
Use the Law as a gentle mirror in conversations to expose you need, then point you to Christ, the only door to salvation and life.
Stop defending, comparing, or minimizing sin. Instead, pray, “Lord, show me what Your Law exposes about my true nature and identify any wicked, hurtful way in me (see Psalm 139).
2. Abandon Self-Rescue
Rule-keeping and being good cannot justify. Lay down your résumé and lean fully on Jesus’ finished work.
3. Believe—and Keep Believing
Make faith not just your starting line but your daily posture. Begin each day praying— “Jesus, You are my righteousness; I trust You to lead, cleanse, and keep me.”
4. Let the Law Lead to Love
Use the Law as a gentle mirror in conversations to expose you need, then point you to Christ, the only door to salvation and life.
Closing Prayer
Lord,
Your Word stops my excuses and reveals my need. I confess I am a ptōchos sinner, spiritually bankrupt and incapable of saving myself. Thank You for sending Jesus, the only way, truth, and life. I place my trust in His cross and empty tomb and not in my goodness. Teach me to believe and keep believing today so that I may walk by grace, fleeing sin, and pointing others to the Savior who never fails. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Word stops my excuses and reveals my need. I confess I am a ptōchos sinner, spiritually bankrupt and incapable of saving myself. Thank You for sending Jesus, the only way, truth, and life. I place my trust in His cross and empty tomb and not in my goodness. Teach me to believe and keep believing today so that I may walk by grace, fleeing sin, and pointing others to the Savior who never fails. In Jesus’ name, amen.