The shifted comma - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

The righteousness of God, the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus,
Romans 3:22.26

The shifted comma
The following anecdote is told about King Umberto of Italy. A petition was put before him from someone who had been sentenced to a very lengthy imprisonment and requested a remission of sentence for the remainder of his time in prison.

The minister of justice had written his proposal on the document: "Grace impossible, to be left in prison."

The king read the petition and studied the file dealing with the case. Then he took his pen and shifted the comma to the previous word to the left. It now read: "Grace, impossible to be left in prison." Then he added one further word: "Agreed" and assigned the document. The condemned man was now free.

The Lord Jesus acts similarly to the king. He wishes to invalidate all the accusations that the devil, other people or our conscience rightly bring forward once for all time. How does Christ do so? He has borne all the guilt and God's punishment for all who believe on Him. The gospels and the Psalms describe what it cost Him - not just a stroke of a pen, but death.

For the sinner who confesses his sin before God and believes in the atoning death of the Lord Jesus, God's salvation goes much farther than the king's pardon. He is not only forgiven but pronounced righteous, i.e. free of all guilt!

The atoning death of Jesus is unique and perfect, so that everyone who believes in Him stands faultless before God.

Today's reading: Jeremiah 25:15-38 · Romans 2:8-16