Romans 3:21-24 (The Message)
21-24 But in our time something new has been added. What Moses and the prophets witnessed to all those years has happened. The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.
I am always moved to tears when reminded of the “sheer generosity” God has given us. In this life, we tend to cruise along, making little and big decisions based on our upbringing, experience, the culture around us, etc. And the scriptures are TRUE, “we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners.”
I’m in New Orleans this week taking care of my granddaughter, Maddie, who is 2 years old. I had forgotten how persistent a 2 year old can be when told “No ma’am”! Just like her J, I need daily (multiple!) reminders that I’m “utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us”. ”The mess we’re in” can only be fixed “by means of Jesus Christ”. So, when faced with everyday sins (sexual or any other), all of us, no matter what the sin, must replace that urge with the gift of Jesus. As Pastor pointed out to us on Sunday, we cannot by our own reason (willpower) or strength do anything. We’re a mess! But the good news is, we have a God who has given us “a pure gift”!
God our Father, thank you for loving us so much! Please send your Holy Spirit to remind us we are a mess without you, and that our days need to be filled with the surety that You have given us in Jesus Christ. Amen.
I would love to hear how you fill your days with the gift of Jesus, to combat sin, in all its forms!
kristi