The Romance of Romans--Six

Chapter 3 cont'd:
However, a new day has dawned and the righteousness of God is revealed that transcends the Mosaic legal system. The scriptures themselves, written by Moses and the prophets, point us to this very truth. Now this divine righteousness is available to all people who really believe in the Messiah, Jesus, and put their trust in who he is and what he has done for them. For there is no real difference between people- all have sinned and fall far short of God's standard of perfection. Justification (God reconciling us to himself) is a free gift of God's grace purchased by Jesus Christ; whom God has clearly presented as the only righteous one and therefore, the only worthy blood sacrifice for the sins of all people of all times, which God has patiently endured. Sacrificing his own Son was the only possible way that God could impart his righteousness to people and still be true to both his justice and his mercy.
God's ingenious salvation strategy undermines all the arrogant self-righteousness of religious people because it is not based on the principle of trying, but trusting. We therefore conclude that people are made right with God, not on the basis of religious works, but on the basis of putting their confidence in Jesus the Messiah. God isn't only the God of the Jews, but also of the Gentiles. And if he is the same and only true God for all, then he must save all by the same means- believing.
So do we nullify the value of the Mosaic law because of this? No way! In fact, its very focus is confirmed.

Commentary:
Paul again refers to "salvation" being equated with "the righteousness of God" being openly revealed through the Person and Work of Jesus Christ. Actually "righteousness" and "justice" are the root same word in Greek. We similarly see God's salvation and justice wedded as one in the prophecies of Isaiah--salvation comes as God brings His justice to bear. It's a bit ironic because we typically think of salvation as mercy as opposed to justice, but in God's economy they are perfectly blended and entwined. God has visited the earth in Jesus to save His chosen ones by bringing justice upon their oppressors--justice for sin, sickness and Satan implies liberation for believers. God brought His justice down upon the aggregate sins of all humanity when He executed His Son on the cross as the ultimate sin offering. God doesn't save us only on the basis of His kindness, but also on the basis of "dealing justly" with our universal treason against Him. Justice and mercy meet in the crucifixion of our Saviour. He simply requires us to agree with (i.e. trust in; believe in; surrender to) these terms--a deal that is hard to refuse and, if we turn it down, a choice that can only be described as foolish to the max.