OceanSide church of Christ

Read devotionals for February 2026

March 1, 2026

Romans 3:8 – And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

Thought: It is true that grace is God’s answer to sin. It is also true that where sin abounds grace abounds even more. This, however, does not imply that Paul and the other apostles were teaching individuals to do evil that good may come. That was a slanderous report made by some against Paul. The failure of the Jews to understand the power and application of grace caused them to wrongfully blaspheme God’s spokemen. Their “damnation is just.”

Romans 5:20

March 2, 2026

Romans 3:9 – What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin.”

Thought: Paul’s arguments have been quite lengthy. He began the evidence for his conclusion in Romans 1:18. The conclusion is clearly stated, “…both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin.” Paul had to prove this beyond a doubt. When individuals know they are lost in sin, then they will seek the salvation that is provided in the gospel of Christ. As long as individuals feel their souls are safe, they will not yield to the gospel’s demands.

Galatians 3:22

March 3, 2026

Romans 3:10, 11 – As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

Thought: Paul has shown that both the Gentiles and the Jews are sinners. This would infuriate the Jews. Therefore, he turned to the Old Testament to prove his point. Notice the words: “As it is written.” Psalm 14:3 and Psalm 53:3 both contain the first statement advanced by the apostle. The second statement is based upon the words of Psalm 14:2. The Lord had looked down from heaven to find someone who understood, but found no one.

Psalm 14:1-3

March 4, 2026

Romans 3:12, 13 – They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips.

Thought: Paul continues to prove that all have sinned by quoting statements found in the Law of Moses. “They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable” (Isa. 53:6). “…there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Ps. 53:1). “Their throat is an open sepulchre” (Ps. 5:9). “…with their tongues they have used deceit” (Ps. 36:3). “…the poison of asps is under their lips” (Ps. 140:3). Paul definitely proves his case with divine authority.

1 Peter 4:11

March 5, 2026

Romans 3:14, 15 – Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood.

Thought: Paul continues to prove that all men are in sin by setting forth numerous statements from the Old Testament Scripture that prove his point. One would have been sufficient, but he lays out a long list so that only the dishonest would deny his conclusion. “Whose mouth is full of cursing” is found in Psalm 10:7. “Their feet are swift to shed blood” is found in several places (Prov. 1:16; 16:18; Isa. 59:7-8). God affirms Paul’s conclusion.

Proverbs 6:16-19

March 6, 2026

Romans 3:16, 17 – Destruction and misery are in their ways: and the way of peace they have not known.

Thought: Paul takes nine verses to Scripturally prove that all men are under sin. None are righteous. Thus, “destruction and misery are in their ways.” Even though this statement is not specifically made in the Old Testament, it had been proven numerous times in the history of Israel and of the world. Peace is not something that is appreciated by the wicked. In fact, “the way of peace they have not known.” Isaiah is the prophet who noted this.

Isaiah 59:8

March 7, 2026

Romans 3:18, 19 – There is no fear of God before their eyes. Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Thought: “There is no fear of God before their eyes,” is a quote from Psalm 36:1. It is Paul’s final Old Testament passage used to establish that all have sinned. The Jews had been given the Law. It spoke to them directly. When proof was forthcoming from the Mosaic Covenant, the mouths of the Jews should cease arguing against the point that had been proven. Gentiles and Jews were sinners. All the world, including the Jews, were guilty before God.

Galatians 4:21

March 8, 2026

Romans 3:20 – Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Thought: The law of Moses revealed and magnified sin. Its laws were many. Its laws were clear. However, the law could not forgive the sins of the Jews. “By the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified.” Once a Jew violated the law, he was a sinner. As a sinner, he stood in need of salvation. That salvation could only be found in Christ and His gospel. At this point in Paul’s argumentation, the Jew was faced with a decision, to remain a sinner or be saved.

Galatians 3:10-13

March 9, 2026

Romans 3:21 – But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets.

Thought: Righteousness, that is, the ability to be right with God, was not found in the Law of Moses. How, then, could a man be made righteous? Paul reveals that in the first century “the righteousness of God without the law is manifested.” He notes that it was “being witnessed by the law and the prophets. This righteousness involved Jesus Christ the Son of God; His death, burial, and resurrection; and the New Testament. Men can be righteous.

Romans 1:16-17

March 10, 2026

Romans 3:22 – Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them believe; for there is no difference.

Thought: There are three views of the words “by faith of Jesus Christ.” Some believe they refer to the personal faith of Jesus Christ. Others tell us that the words mean the faith man must place in Jesus Christ. Still others believe the words refer to the system of faith, that is, the New Testament of Jesus Christ. If the verse is kept in the context of the book of Romans, it refers to the New Covenant (Rom. 1:17). Jews and Gentiles can believe it and be saved.

Acts 15:9

March 11, 2026

Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

Thought: This is one of the saddest verses of the Bible. It notes that every man and woman has transgressed the law of God. It reveals that all have been in the bondage of sin. It tells us that all have been the servants of the evil one. It tells us that all are lost. It proclaims that man is the enemy of God. As sad as the verse is, it is needful for all to know. Unless man understands that he is lost in sin, he will not desire the salvation found in the gospel.

Ecclesiastes 7:20

March 12, 2026

Romans 3:24 – Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Thought: All have sinned, but all are not without hope. Righteousness is not found in the Law of Moses, but the Jews are not without hope. All men can be justified by the grace of God. That grace was manifested through the redemptive action of Jesus Christ. This grace is not the result of man’s goodness. It was given freely by the Almighty God. Notice this redemption is “in” Christ Jesus. Being “in Christ” is an important New Testament concept.

Ephesians 1:3