Humbled by the truth…

 

Last night at our home study group, we had to face the truth about ourselves: apart from Christ, this is what we would be like: 

As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips. Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” 
Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:10–20)

One person said he had never cursed or been bitter. Others likely thought they were never quick to shed blood, but this misses the point. God says is our human sinfulness is a matter of the heart where all this sin comes from, and that Jew or not, we are all guilty. If left to our own, we would do whatever our selfish and proud thoughts prompted.

Who has not ever thought a mean thought, or ignored God's plain instructions because our own ideas are more appealing? We choose comfort over the suffering and loss that often comes with obedience. Without Jesus, I know I would run my own life contrary to the way that God tells me to live.

As this passage suggests, why then have a law if no one obeys it? As we studied the passage, the answer came easily; the law shows us what is wrong with us. By it we realize our sinfulness, just as the passage says. This is like being told my house is on fire — get out! If no one told me, I would die in that fire.

The wages of sin is death. Christ paid that price for me. But if I insist on ‘doing it my way’ then I am taking that payment on myself. When I think of Jesus dying for my sin, I weep. When I think of Him bearing the sin of the world, I am totally undone. Every evil thought, every deceptive and unkind word, every mean and hurtful action — He bore all sin, paid for every sin ever committed with His own blood. 

This is the wonder of the gospel. Jesus offers us not only forgiveness but Himself. We are set free from guilt, but also given the means to change, to live by His power, to stop committing all that sin and live like Him. This means to have worth, do good, speak truth, praise and thank God, be kind, create beauty and comfort others, be peacemakers, and have a strong and sustaining respect and love for our God. It also means being glad that His law remains to show us when we stray and help us understand His wisdom. I cannot live a godly life without Jesus Christ and His law shows me what that looks like.

PRAY: How can I say thanks? Jesus, You are the One who saves, who rescues sinners and changes our hearts. May my life reveal Your goodness and my words praise and glorify You.