What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one...
—Romans 3:9-10 (KJV)
Paul is driving home the point in Romans 3 that none of us can come close to approximating God's perfection, righteousness, compassion, grace, and holiness. So how do we get there? How do we escape the stranglehold and guilt of sin? God's answer is Jesus! I believe that must be our answer, too!
Jesus came to ransom us from sin (Mark 10:45), paying the price for our sin even while we were sinners (Romans 5:6-11). We couldn't earn our way to God by our goodness, so Jesus became our bridge back to God. The glorious truth is now this:
Holy and Righteous God, I acknowledge my sinfulness as I come into your presence in prayer. Yet by faith, dear Father, I trust in what your Son did for me through his death, burial, and resurrection. I believe my trust in his work and your grace will bring me life and make me holy (Colossians 1:22). Please bless and empower me to live as your victorious child because of your amazing grace and the power of the Holy Spirit within me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
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—Romans 3:9-10 (KJV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Paul is driving home the point in Romans 3 that none of us can come close to approximating God's perfection, righteousness, compassion, grace, and holiness. So how do we get there? How do we escape the stranglehold and guilt of sin? God's answer is Jesus! I believe that must be our answer, too!
Jesus came to ransom us from sin (Mark 10:45), paying the price for our sin even while we were sinners (Romans 5:6-11). We couldn't earn our way to God by our goodness, so Jesus became our bridge back to God. The glorious truth is now this:
God made him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).
My Prayer...
Holy and Righteous God, I acknowledge my sinfulness as I come into your presence in prayer. Yet by faith, dear Father, I trust in what your Son did for me through his death, burial, and resurrection. I believe my trust in his work and your grace will bring me life and make me holy (Colossians 1:22). Please bless and empower me to live as your victorious child because of your amazing grace and the power of the Holy Spirit within me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Continue reading...
