Romans 3:9-19
It was the verse following these that carried the message for me today, verse 20: Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
It occurs to me today, maybe this is part of the problem with our modern Christian church. Somehow we have sent a message implying Christians are not sinners. And when we do sin, it is all the more proof to those outside the church of our hypocrisy. It is my relationship with God that highlights my sins for me. I still do sin. But I am more apt to see it and correct it, and even to keep myself from it, when my heart is full of the Spirit.
Holy Father, you are my guide, and the light on my path. May my eyes and heart always be turned to you. Help me to turn away from sin. Amen
Becky, transforming
pic by Kay
Romans 9:10 - ”as it is written:
’There is no one who is righteous, not even one;’”
Paul is quoting the Psalms in this sobering passage from his letter to Rome. This phrase is seen in Psalms 14 and 53, both of which start with “For the fool says in his heart, ‘there is no God.’” There is indeed a God who is the standard of perfect goodness. We strive, but we cannot attain this standard, but some reject this truth. Why is admitting to being a sinner so loathsome in modern culture? We want to define “good” on our own terms, freeing us from confronting where we fall short. Without God, good is whatever we say it is. The…