“21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference” (Romans 3:21-22, KJV).
1. Loved ones, the church of the New Testament has not changed because it is the culmination of God's eternal purpose. To the Ephesians Paul affirmed that “10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ephesians 3:10-11).
The church is not an afterthought of God, or an accident or contingency that He was forced into as a substitute for the kingdom. In fact, the Scriptures teach that God reigns over His kingdom the church (Matthew 16:18-19; Colossians 1:13).
God purposed the church from the beginning. What God designs He never needs to change. He does not reach conclusions by experimentation. He knows before He starts whether or not and how a thing works. The church is changeless because its architect designed it perfectly.
2. Sin, which made it necessary, has not changed. The church is composed of people who have been saved from the practice of sin (Acts 2:47; 1 John 5:19). The one body of Christ, the church of Christ, is the sinner's only access to God (Ephesians 2:16-18; 3:11-12). As long as sin exists, the need for the unchangeable church will continue. It was designed to give sinners access to salvation from sin, and that need has not changed.
3. The blood, which made its existence possible, has not changed. It was purchased by the precious blood of Christ (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:18-19). Churches not purchased by the blood of Christ can be changed structurally, but Christ's church is as changeless as His blood (Hebrews 10:11-14).
A song writer wrote, "I love Thy kingdom, Lord, The house of Thine abode; The church our blest Redeemer saved With His own precious blood."
4. Christ, its head, is changeless (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). When knowledgeable members are asked as to who the head of the church of God is, the answer today is as it has been for centuries, "Christ is the only head of the church."
For more than 2,000 years the divine church has not changed heads, and it will not change heads as long as time shall last. The church authorized by God has a living head (Ephesians 5:23), not a dead head whose remains are preserved in some tomb today. This gives the ONE Christian faith (Ephesians 4:5; Romans 10:17) a distinction that no other religion has. In Christ, the unchangeable head, resides all the executive, legislative, and judicial authority over the church.
5. Therefore, “there is no difference.” Paul, in speaking of the salvation of the Jew and Gentile, said in Romans 3:22, “…there is no difference." There are many things in which there is difference, but it may be of value for us to consider the common lot of mankind and think of some things in which there is no difference. It may not only help us to sympathize with those in sorrow, or help those in trouble, but also aid those in a search for salvation.
First, there is no basic difference in the physical processes and needs of mankind, whether he be rich or poor, black or white, wise or foolish, old or young, Indian, African, or American. We all have sorrow and gladness, hope and despair, fear and courage, love and hate. Those are common, although they may not be about the same things or to the same degree.
Second, there is no difference in the fact of sin in every accountable person. Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." All mankind needs Christ as a Savior.
Many times we have heard persons say, "Sin is sin, and there is no difference in sin, for it will all cause you to be lost." It is true that sin is sin, and any sin of which one does not repent and of which he is not forgiven will cost him his soul. It is true that there is no difference in the FACT of sin.
It is not true, however, that there is no difference in the kinds or degrees of sin. It is not simply the case that mine are little and yours are big. We have heard persons pray something like this: "Lord, save the lost from their sins, and forgive us of our mistakes and shortcomings." So, it is not that you have sins and I have merely mistakes and shortcomings.
Yet, no one can read the Bible thoughtfully without being aware that there is a difference in the kinds and degrees of sin. Jesus said to Pilate in John 19:11, “They that delivered me unto thee had a greater sin.” Matthew 21:31 indicates that the sin of self-righteous hypocrisy is worse in some respects than harlotry.
It is also clear that Jesus measures the punishment to fit the sin, for He says in Luke 12:47, "And that servant which knew his lord's will and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes." In Matthew 12, He shows that there will be "greater condemnation" for some than for others.
The point is that there is no difference in the fact that every person sins (Romans 3:9-10). Whether the sin is looked upon as great or small, it will cause us to be lost until we are saved by the blood of Christ as we accept His gracious offer on His terms.
Third, there is no difference in the fact of God's love for each of us. We may experience His love in different ways, or in different amounts. But regardless of how bad your sin, He loves you and wants you to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). It is hard for us to grasp that fantastic truth.
It is also true that God is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). Man cannot fall so low that God will not love and save him if he will repent and turn to God in God's appointed way. It is true that men may become so depraved and refuse to have God in their knowledge that God will give them up to a reprobate mind (Romans 1:21-28).
Fourth, there is no difference in the plan of salvation for all mankind. When Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh to the Father, but by me" (John 14:6), He left us no alternatives.
It is still true that if one does not believe in Jesus, he will die in his sins (John 8:24). It is still true that if one does not repent, he will perish (Luke 13:3). It is still true that if one is unwilling to confess Christ as Lord, he has no promise of salvation (Romans 10:10). It is still true that baptism (the kind authorized by Christ) saves us (1 Peter 3:21; Mark 16:16).
If you have not done those things, we hope you will realize that it makes no difference what else you do, you have no promise of salvation from God. The God of Heaven and Earth is so good, and His love reaches all. Through the free gift of God’s grace by Jesus’ blood (Ephesians 2:8; Revelation 1:5) and your obedient faith (Romans 1:5; 10:17; 16:26), salvation is offered. If you have Bible questions or wish to comment on this post, please do so. Lord willing, a Bible answer will be provided for every Bible question.
The churches of Christ are neither Catholic, Protestant, nor Jew (Romans 16:16; Matthew 16:18-19). We are the loving suffering ONE body of Christ (Ephesians 1:20-23; 4:4-6) – CHRISTIANS: “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf” (1 Peter 4:16; cf. Acts 11:26; 26:28).
We love you with the love of the Lord (John 13:34-35). Samuel A. Matthews, preaching with the Liberty NW church of Christ, meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA – 8 April 2026.
