Tag: sinner
There is no distinction
Scripture reading for June 17: Romans 3
“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 the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the Law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it–the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. For there is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ, . .” Romans 3:19-24
Just as God is not partial, He shows no distinction between Jew or Gentile. The reason for this is that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God’s perfect holiness. The Jews have broken God’s law by disobedience. They had the Law and Prophets as their guide. Their sin was revealed by God’s Law, but not removed or fixed because a mirror has no power to change the reflection. The Greeks had the Law written on the tablets of their heart but they failed to obey God’s inner witness of the conscience. (Romans 2:15-16) They had blocked out their conscience and hardened their hearts. There is no distinction between the two as all have sinned and are under God’s judgment.
But God Himself provided a plan for all men, Jew or Greek, to be justified before Him. It was and is by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Whoever would come to God through faith in Christ’s sacrifice of His blood and life would be saved. This would cleanse their soul of unrighteousness and bring God’s Gift of His perfect righteousness through His Son Jesus Christ. God would give this gift without distinction to Jew and Gentile, slave or free, man or woman!
Have you ever felt that Jews or certain ‘religious’ people had an advantage over you in obtaining God’s favor? Have you faced the fact that you are a sinner who has to answer before God? Have you humbly acknowledged your sins and asked for the gift of grace and righteousness through Jesus Christ?
Prayer: Father God, I admit that I have sinned and fallen short of Your perfect holiness. I cast myself on Your Son Jesus Christ and ask for mercy and forgiveness. I receive by faith Christ Jesus as Lord of my life and my only hope of Your eternal glory. Thank You for showing no partiality or distinction. Amen.
The blessed man!
Scripture reading for June 3: Psalms 1-6
The Book of Psalms was the hymnbook of the Hebrew people and was used in worship and prayer. The word “psalm” denotes a “song sung to the accompaniment of a plucked instrument.” These psalms had at least seven different authors and were written over nearly a thousand years, from the time of Moses to the return from exile in Babylon. David was one of the primary authors of the psalms, and many reflect his own prayers, worship, fears, and desires as he experienced life in all it’s emotional ups and downs!
The first psalm was about a man who is blessed by God. The blessed person doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked. He also doesn’t stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. How does the blessed man know what wickedness is? Who is a sinner and what is a mocker? This man knows because he delights in the law of the Lord! He meditated on that law day and night. From that law he clearly understood good and evil, righteousness and wickedness.
The blessed man was described as a tree planted by streams of water. This tree was always bearing fruit and leafy and green because it’s roots were well-supplied with moisture and nutrients. Even when it was dry and hot, water from underground brought productivity. God abundantly supplied this man because of the Word he meditated on. What an encouraging picture to begin worship with!
This blessed man was contrasted with the wicked man. The wicked man was pictured as the chaff off of the wheat, that the wind blows away. It was only good for burning. Just like the chaff that was separated from the wheat by the wind, so the sinner and wicked man will not stand in the time of God’s judgment! They will be separated from the assembly of the righteous and blessed! God watches over the righteous to protect and reward them. God will also make sure the wicked perish.
How does this psalm point us to Jesus Christ? In what way or ways does this psalm help you in worship and joyful living? What doctrines are being taught in this first worship psalm? Does worship have a place in teaching doctrine?