Romans 3:9-12

Romans 3:9-12 - Daily Devotion - 17 June 2026 St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park 9 What then? Are we any better? Not at all. For we have already made the charge that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin. 10 As it is written:“There is no one righteous,not even one.11 There is no one who understands,no one who seeks God.12 All have turned away,they have together become worthless;there is no one who does good,not even one.”REFLECTIONSWritten by Vivian AbdalaThere have been many times when I have compared myself to others and concluded either that I could never measure up to them or that I was somehow better than them. It is easy to fall into the trap of comparison, whether it is in studies, work, or within my family. I can either become discouraged by thinking I am not doing well enough or become prideful by believing I am doing much better than others. Both attitudes reveal a sinful heart and a mindset of seeking to justify myself.This passage reminds me that comparing myself to others is the wrong standard. Paul quotes Psalm 14, which declares that “there is no one righteous, not even one.” We are all sinners before God and fall short of His perfect standard. No one can claim righteousness based on their own efforts or achievements.The good news is that righteousness is not something I can earn. I am made righteous only through Jesus Christ. By His grace, God chose and rescued me, giving me a righteousness that comes from Christ and not from myself. This is a great comfort because I cannot save myself or come to God by my own strength. My salvation rests in God’s gracious initiative and mercy.My prayer is that I would grow in thankfulness for God’s grace each day. I pray that He would guard my heart against comparison and pride by reminding me that there is no one righteous, not even one. May I find my identity not in how I compare myself to others, but in the righteousness of Christ and the mercy that God has shown me. ABOUT THE AUTHORVivian is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.