The question “whodunit?” is worth looking into. However, the answer requires only a little detective work. Because, the answer is one that is repeated over and over in Scripture. “For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did” (Romans 8:3a). Also, repeated over and over in Scripture, is that man cannot do it.

Starting with the latter point, what is it man cannot do? In Romans, Paul is building a case as to how impossible it is for any man to fulfill the Law, and thus save himself or earn his salvation. Quoting Psalms 14, Paul makes an all inclusive statement using absolute language, “THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE” (Romans 3:10). He leaves no wiggle room for any person because the corruption of sin is complete. Within man there is no ability to redeem himself. Apart from influence coming from outside of himself, man cannot do it. That is, the ability to take any meaningful step to fix his broken relationship with his Creator God.

Case Closed

The case against man, as read in Romans chapters 1-3, is beyond dispute. The Law was broken. Man’s crime against Yahweh is proven beyond any doubt. This is an open and shut case - it is straightforward and obvious from the facts, that the case may be closed as soon as it is opened. Man is hopelessly sinful and guilty, the verdict is in and all that is left is judgment.

Who Did It?

Now to the former point, who did it? God did! What did He do? “Sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the righteous requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us” (Romans 8:3-4). Jesus Christ is the only one who is able to merit salvation. And, Yahweh did this by “sending His own Son.”

The case for Christ, and His work on behalf of those who will believe, is even more sure than the case against man and his sin. Jesus Christ’s righteousness was so complete, He “condemned sin.” Jesus was the doom of sin. By the authority of His perfect life, He became the judge of sin. Sin’s fate now is irrevocably fixed. The powerlessness of sin is laid out in Romans 8:1-2 “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”

Must Give It Up

To bring these two points together. Yahweh, through His Son Jesus, accomplished for all and only those people who have given up on themselves - like beggars with nowhere to turn (cf. Matthew 5:3). It is stubborn pride in man that thinks he can contribute even the smallest act to save himself. Our Creator God did it all! Yahweh is the answer to “whodunit?” It was by His act that helpless man can be saved. The call then, is for all men to repent and believe in His Son, Jesus Christ.

“By the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene … there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:10-12