The court.

As the book of Romans opens, the trial of the ages is taking place. Here is the official court record:
• The charge— High treason against the King of the universe (Rom. 1:18-19).

• The defendants—
1. A heathen—the pagan (Rom. 1:18-32)
2. A hypocrite—the moral person (Rom. 2:1-16)
3. A Hebrew—the religious person (Rom. 2:17-3:8)

• The jury—consisting of four jurors
1. The conscience of a person
2. The deeds of a person
3. The works of God
4. The Law of God

• The defense—
1. The pagan’s defense
His plea: “I should be acquitted on the grounds of ignorance.”
2. The moral person’s defense
His plea: “I should be acquitted on the grounds of comparison—that is, I’m not as bad as the pagan.”
3. The religious person’s defense
His plea: “I should be acquitted on the grounds that I know the law of God and teach courses in religion.”

• The verdict—
“. . . . both Jews and Gentiles . . . are under sin . . . there is none righteous, no, not one . . . all the world [is] guilty before God” (Rom. 3:9-19).

• The sentence—
“For the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23a).

• The miracle—
“But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23b).
Up to this point the case of God against the accused has pretty well followed the format of earthly jurisprudence. But suddenly something totally different and unexpected takes place that would surely cause every earthly court reporter to gasp in utter amazement. After the Judge has carefully heard all the evidence and patiently listened to all the pleas, he finds no other choice but to invoke the supreme penalty, lest true justice be denied. But before the terrible sentence can be carried out, this same Judge quietly closes the case book, lays down the heavenly gavel, rises to his feet, takes off his judicial robes, and goes out to die for these three convicted defendants. This and this alone is justification. The corrupt, doomed, and naked sinner may now be cleansed, delivered, and clothed in the very righteousness of Christ Himself.