Romans 3:
19 Now we know that what things so ever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
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:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
This is the good news proclaimed to the world. The righteousness of God comes only by faith. Why that is such good news is that without Grace, without someone else paying the penalties for my sins–I could never stand before an omniscient, righteous judge and be declared anything except guilty as charged and condemned to an eternity separated God. God must remain the righteous Judge; therefore Christ paid the penalty for my sin so that I might be justified (declared not guilty) by faith. Beyond that, I am then proclaimed righteous by faith in Christ. Not that I am in this earthly form found to be righteous as my conscience would proclaim every day loudly within me; yet, I am declared righteous by and before God Almighty. That is true of every believer. Oh, the depth of His great love. How could I ever comprehend the mystery of God’s great compassion, love and sacrifice for us.- that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He died for us though we were hostile toward Him. Because of Christ, when Satan stands there to accuse me, telling me of my great unworthiness. Or when the Devil throws your sins in your face and tells you that you do not deserve God’s love–that you only deserve condemnation and hell. We must proclaim, "I know I deserve condemnation and hell, so what of it. There is one who bore all my shame and paid my penalty on the cross and His name is Jesus Christ. Because of that, you with all your accusations can go away, I am with Him."