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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
March 13, 2026
Romans 3:25 – Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.
Thought: Notice, redemption begins with God. It is He who “set forth” the Christ. He sent Him to be a propitiation. He became a sacrifice that brought forgiveness to man and thwarted the wrath of God. The benefits of this death are available to all who have “faith in his blood.” Yes, Jesus’ blood is the key. By doing this, God could declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past. God bore long with man to bring this plan to fruition.
1 John 4:10
March 14, 2026
Romans 3:26 – To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Thought: God’s actions on man’s behalf prove that He is righteous. Man transgressed God’s law. This demanded punishment. However, God loved man and wanted to forgive him of his trespasses. How could this be done? He sent His Son to pay the penalty for sin. He was both God and man. He was sinless. He was a voluntary offering. His death paid the penalty for sin. All men who accept the benefits of Jesus’ death by obedient faith can be saved.
Acts 13:38-39
March 15, 2026
Romans 3:27 – Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay; but by the law of faith.
Thought: If a person could have kept the Law of Moses perfectly, he could have been saved. Too, the person could have boasted of his salvation. He could have said: “Look what I have done.” All men, however, have sinned. The salvation they have been offered involves nothing about which they can boast. God acted. God gave. God offered. Man only accepts God’s grace through faith. Boasting, therefore, is excluded. It is excluded by the law of faith.
Ephesians 2:8-9
March 16, 2026
Romans 3:28 – Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Thought: The Law of Moses had been a vital part of every Jew’s life. However, after Jesus’ death on the cross a new law was made effective. The Old Law was done away, and rightfully so. The Old Law could not justify sinful man. This was Paul’s conclusion. Man can now be justified without the deeds of the law. He can be justified by faith. Notice that the word “faith” does not have the words “only” or “alone” attached to it. It is an obedient faith.
Colossians 2:12-14
March 17, 2026
Romans 3:29, 30 – Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision by faith.
Thought: God’s ultimate plan was never to save only the Jews. He is the God of both Jews and Gentiles. He chose the Jews in order to bring Jesus into the world. When Jesus came, He died for all. This one God desired to justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision by faith. The Old Law was never intended to save the Jewish people. Only Jesus can save. This concept was difficult for the Jews to accept, but God loves the world.
Colossians 3:11
March 18, 2026
Romans 3:31 -Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Thought: The New Testament and everything surrounding it was not a temporary part of God’s plan. The Old Testament had predicted these events long before they were going to transpire. A suffering servant, a new covenant, a new priesthood, the acceptance of the Gentiles, the church, and a host of other things were clearly set forth by the inspired writers. The Law of Moses was not made void through faith. Instead, faith established the law.
John 5:39
March 19, 2026
Romans 4:1 – What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
Thought: Paul had brought up the concept that salvation is by faith without the Law of Moses. He now turns to Abraham as an example of that faith. Paul uses one of the most important men in the history of the Jews to establish his point. Abraham was the father of the Jews. The Jews bragged that they were the children of Abraham. Thus, this example would be extremely difficult for a Jew to ignore. Every Jew wanted to like father Abraham.
Isaiah 51:2
March 20, 2026
Romans 4:2 – For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
Thought: The question Paul raises is this: “Was Abraham justified by the works of the Law of Moses?” It he was he had reason to glory. This, however, was not the case with Abraham. He could not glory in such works before God. Why? Abraham never lived under the law. Abraham was born four to five hundred years before Moses was born. This raises two questions. Was Abraham justified before God? If so, how was he justified without the law?
Galatians 3:16-18
March 21, 2026
Romans 4:3 – For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Thought: If Abraham lived before the law, how was he made righteous? Genesis 15:6 answers this question. “Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” Abraham was justified by faith without the law. Does this teach salvation by faith only? If we are referring to faith and divine facts, this is true. If we are referring to faith and promises, this is true. If we are referring to faith and commands, obedience is essential.
James 2:21-23
March 22, 2026
Romans 4:4 – Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
Thought: Paul is seeking to establish the weakness of the Law of Moses. If a man kept the law perfectly, he could be saved. He would not have any sin that needed to be forgiven. His salvation, therefore, would not involve any grace. He did what he was supposed to do. Thus, he was owed his salvation. The problem is that no Jew kept the law perfectly. Paul proved this is Romans 2. All had sinned. Man stood in need of God’s grace. This involved faith.
Romans 11:6
March 23, 2026
Romans 4:5 – But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Thought: Instead of trying to keep the law, a person needed to believe on him that justifieth the ungodly. His faith would be put on his account for righteousness. God never planned on saving mankind through the law. Before the foundation of the world, Jesus’s death on Calvary had been planned. It is through faith in Jesus Christ that one can be made righteous before God. The conditions of that plan can only be found in the gospel of Christ.
1 Peter 1:18-20
March 24, 2026
Romans 4:6, 7 – Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Thought: To be made righteous means a man’s iniquities are forgiven and his sins are covered. The Law of Moses could never cleanse a person of his sins. The Jew could labor all of his life to keep the law and his sins would always be present with him. Under the New Covenant of Jesus Christ God imputed righteousness without the deeds of the law. This was the blessed state described by David in Psalm 32:1-2. The forgiven are truly blessed by God.
Psalm 32:1-2
March 25, 2026
Romans 4:8 – Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Thought: The word “blessed” is an interesting term. It is often defined very simply as “happy.” The word also involves “that which is for man’s highest good.” One of the very best things that can happen to a man is for God not to impute sin to him. Sin ultimately brings eternal condemnation. If one’s sins are not charged to his account, he will stand before God justified in the last day. Instead of eternal misery, he will reap eternal life and eternal joy.
2 Corinthians 5:19
March 26, 2026
Romans 4:9, 10 – Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
Thought: Was the blessing of forgiveness intended for the Jews only? Or, was it also intended for the Gentiles? The Jews would have answered: “It is only for the Jews.” Thus, Paul returns to the father of the Jews, Abraham. Paul notes that his faith was reckoned to him for righteousness. He, then, asks: “When did happen?” “When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Paul answers: “When he was in uncircumcision.” It is undeniable.
Genesis 15:5-6
March 27, 2026
Romans 4:11 – And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed to them also.
Thought: Abraham had righteousness imputed unto him through faith. Following this, he received the sign of circumcision. Paul says that circumcision was “a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised.” These things were a shadow of what was to come under the New Covenant. Gentiles could be justified by faith like Abraham. Too, the Jews who received the sign of the covenant could be justified.
Genesis 17:10-14
March 28, 2026
Romans 4:12 – And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
Thought: Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness prior to his being circumcised. If this was the case with the father of the Jews, why couldn’t it also be true of the Gentiles. When they believed the gospel of Christ, they were walking “in the steps of our father Abraham.” This was a potent argument made by Paul to prove that the Gentiles could be saved from their sins. It was hard for a Jew to oppose their spiritual father.
Hebrews 11:8-10
March 29, 2026
Romans 4:13 – For the promise, that he should be heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the faith of righteousness.
Thought: Abraham had been told that through him and his seed all families of the earth would be blessed. This was revealed to Abraham while he walked in faith, not while he was living under the law of Moses. The promise made to Abraham involved all men who followed in the footsteps of Abraham. The blessing given to Abraham was not restricted to the Jews. The Jews and the law served a purpose, but salvation was not restricted to them along.
Romans 1:16-17
March 30, 2026
Romans 4:14 – For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise of none effect.
Thought: If salvation came by the law of Moses, Paul concluded two things. First, faith is made void. Second, the promise to Abraham was of none effect. The account of Abraham’s life would have been useless. For us, this teaching is easy to grasp. We have never lived under the Old Covenant as the people of God. The Jews to whom Paul was writing had lived that way for hundreds of years. Paul’s argument was strong, but it was difficult to swallow.
Galatians 3:18-29
March 31, 2026
Romans 4:15 – Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
Thought: The definition of sin is “the transgression of the law.” If there were no law, man would not commit sin. However, God gave His law to Israel. It contained orders, directives, guidelines, and commands that were to be followed. As long as Israel, obeyed the law, everything was fine. However, when they transgressed the law, it activated the wrath of God. Sin must be punished. If it is overlooked, ungodliness reigns. A holy God can’t allow that.
1 Corinthians 15:56
Read devotionals for April 2026