SCRIPTURE: Romans 3:1-4:25
For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. (Romans 3:28)
Paul is saying God accepts us for our open hearts (faith), not for our good deeds (works).
When God finally reveals Himself to someone, their true heart condition is revealed.
Non-religious people I know are actually very open to the goodness of God.
Though they claim to reject God and religion, what their actually rejecting is a false picture of God.
In their hearts, they are open to goodness, morality, generosity – not sinless but sincere.
The examples of faith in the bible are often weak, humble, uncertain, desperate sinners.
We have turned faith into a system of beliefs, an intellectual response to ideas.
Faith is a response to a Being, not a book; a Person, not a policy.
When you finally encounter the glory and goodness of God as seen in Jesus…
Will you fall on your knees, or will you throw up your fists?
Like Abraham will we welcome the God of love and mercy, or will we refuse Him?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I know that there is sin in my heart. I know I am not good enough… but You are. I believe, help me get past my unbelief!
I read something today that was “wow that stings” but is a hundred percent true. It said “you are only as close to God as you choose to be”. How often do I feel and say that God is distant and far away in another galaxy? I never thought it could be because I choose more often than I should to have a closed heart. I am a sinner, but I’m not held captive by my sins. I am forgiven, and redeemed and a daughter of the High Priest!
Observation/Application
All are guilty.
I am guilty
of doing wrong
The good I desire to do I do not do
I am made right only through His goodness
through the blood of Christ
and His righteousness.
Then I am blessed to be a blessing to others
sharing with others what the Lord has done for me.
I must follow the Way
that Jesus showed
and as a Christ follower
believe what He promised
life eternal to all who believe
in Jesus name.
PTL
O Jesus, Thou hast promised to all who follow Thee
That where Thou art in glory there shall Thy servant be.
And Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow, my master and my friend.
O let me see Thy footprints, and in them plant mine own;
My hope to follow duly is in Thy strength alone.
O guide me, call me, draw me, uphold me to the end;
And then in Heaven receive me, my Savior and my friend.