Romans 3

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— He did it to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.  Romans 3:21-31 NIV

To be righteous means to be right with God.  How can we accomplish this?  By obeying rules?  By doing good deeds for others?  Paul tells us that our righteousness actually comes to us only through faith in Jesus Christ!  It is a free gift, offered by God’s grace, and given to anyone who believes in Jesus.  So does this mean that we don’t have to follow any rules?  Certainly not!  The sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross in order to pay the price for our sins should lead us to a state of humility and gratitude, where we desire to be obedient to everything that God and Jesus have commanded us to do.  Although counter-intuitive, this actually gives us freedom instead of being burdensome.  We can live our lives according to the guidelines given to us in The Bible, with absolute confidence that they are for our own good and will lead to blessed, fruitful, and joyful lives.  Given our sinful nature, it is inevitable that we will make mistakes along the way.  When we do stumble, we can rest in the assurance that we will be completely forgiven by Our Heavenly Father every time we genuinely seek His forgiveness.  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).   Are good deeds important?  Absolutely!  The way in which we care for those that are less fortunate than us or in need is a reflection of our love for Christ.  “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:14-17).  The bad news is that righteousness is not possible for anyone to attain in his/her own power.  The good news is that God makes it available to absolutely everyone who believes this amazing truth: “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).  Hallelujah!  To Him be the glory!