Read: Romans 3:19-26; 1 John 2:1-2; Proverbs 2:7-8
Have you ever wondered... How you can become righteous? If following the rules is good enough for God?
Try to think of someone who was righteous, someone who never did
anything wrong. Mother Teresa? No. The Apostle Paul? Hardly. The Pope,
Joan of Arc, or John the Baptist? None of these characters were
righteous of their own accord, and neither are you. There's nothing you
can do to make up for your foul behavior.
Sin stinks, and God hates it. Face it: Flowers won't appease him. Gifts and apology cards won't cut it.. The grander tributes--an afternoon serving at the city mission, a fat check in the offering plate--won't make you look any better or any more righteous. We always want to do what is right, but somehow, it just doesn't happen.
God's not surprised. Reading Romans chapter three may help you breathe a little easier. Deeds aren't the way to righteousness--Jesus is. He frees you from your sin when you hand over your life to him. Righteousness is a free gift. Take it. Wear it confidently by obeying God's Word. Then you'll receive all the positive things that God wants to give you along with it.
*But the truly happy people are those who carefully study God's perfect law that makes people free, and they continue to study it. They do not forget what they heard, but they obey what God's teaching says. Those who do this will be made happy (James 1:25)
Sin stinks, and God hates it. Face it: Flowers won't appease him. Gifts and apology cards won't cut it.. The grander tributes--an afternoon serving at the city mission, a fat check in the offering plate--won't make you look any better or any more righteous. We always want to do what is right, but somehow, it just doesn't happen.
God's not surprised. Reading Romans chapter three may help you breathe a little easier. Deeds aren't the way to righteousness--Jesus is. He frees you from your sin when you hand over your life to him. Righteousness is a free gift. Take it. Wear it confidently by obeying God's Word. Then you'll receive all the positive things that God wants to give you along with it.
*But the truly happy people are those who carefully study God's perfect law that makes people free, and they continue to study it. They do not forget what they heard, but they obey what God's teaching says. Those who do this will be made happy (James 1:25)
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