But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ. 

For there is no distinction; since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 

Romans 3:21-23

Paul writes that, with the coming of Jesus Christ, something new has happened. Paul is contrasting the Old Covenant with the New Covenant. That’s why he says, “But now.” Now God’s righteousness, God’s forgiveness, God’s putting people back in right standing has happened apart from the law; and it isn’t more laws, it is a person. And yet, everything in the Old Testament pointed to the coming of a Savior, everything pointed to Jesus coming.

The law prepared us for Jesus. The law — the commandments — told us that we could not meet God’s standards. The law told us that we needed help. It is when I see how hopeless it is for me to do good and to do right that I know I need a Savior. And all of us need a Savior because each and every one of us has fallen short of God’s glory. 

Thank God today that he has sent his Son to put you back in a right relationship with him.