We’ve spent these last few weeks looking at the greatest instance of “the law” in the Old Testament. In light of that, I thought it would be useful for us to look at some of Jesus’ teaching on the Law. … Continue reading
Today’s reading is Romans 10: 1-4 Today Paul talks about trying to establish righteousness on your own. Establishing righteousness via your own efforts, your own works, your own laws, your own efforts. We try so very hard to do it all … Continue reading
Today’s reading is Romans 9: 30-33 Paul today, as he will through the next few chapters wrestles with the fact that the Gentiles found the righteousness that they weren’t even striving for, while others were striving for righteousness through the law, … Continue reading
Today’s reading is Romans 4: 13-25 Now Paul is stressing his next point. He’s such a good lawyer; his training shows itself over and over in Romans. We now all agree that what made Abraham righteous was not his religious actions … Continue reading
The main thing we have to do in our faith is this. Chase after Jesus. I’m going to say something a little counterintuitive. Your main task is not to avoid sin, it’s not to make sure you’re being a good … Continue reading
Today I was reading through one of my favorite Psalms. And, I love the Psalms. They just speak to what is on our heart so many times. They are so honest, so full of emotion. Just like us, at times they are over joyed with God’s goodness. At times they are heartbroken over our sin. They speak so many things we feel.
I was reading Psalm 25 when some verses jumped out at me:
7 Gracious and upright is the LORD; *
therefore he teaches sinners in his way.
8 He guides the humble in doing right *
and teaches his way to the lowly.
9 All the paths of the LORD are love and faithfulness *
to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
10 For your Name’s sake, O LORD, *
forgive my sin, for it is great.
11 Who are they who fear the LORD? *
he will teach them the way that they should choose.
There is this notion, that I’ve never really picked up until I read it this morning. The Psalmist says that God is with the humble and the righteous, that He leads and guides them.
So, you’d think the Psalmist was one of the humble and righteous that God guided, right?
Notice what the Psalmist says right after through – Forgive me of my sin, for it is great.
Then it hit me. Perhaps what it means to be righteous isn’t to be perfect. If that were so, who could be righteous at all. None of. Perhaps what it means to be righteous is understand our constant need for forgiveness.
Part of being rightoues is to understand we are sinful and we can’t statnd without God. That we can’t do it ourselves. That we need God. That our own strength and will is not enough to “make” us good. We need the power of God, the grace of God, the might of God. We need His strength.
And, we need His forgiveness. Today. Everyday.
Part of being strong is to realize we are weak and frail and can’t do it. And when we think we are strong, we are headed for a fall. When we think we’ve got it figured out, we make a fool of ourselves.
When we think we are righteous we fall into sin. When we realize we are weak and in need of God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness, we find His life. We find His power. We find a new day, a new start and a new forgiveness.
I think part of what it means to be righteous is live under God’s constant forgiveness. And under His constant forgiveness, we find life we can’t find anywhere else!
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