Word@Work Romans25 - Romans 3:9-12
Published: Tue, 09/20/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
WHAT IS HUMAN NATURE LIKE?
Romans 3:9-12 What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. As it is written: "There is no-one righteous, not even one; there is no-one who understands, no-one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no-one who does good, not even one." (NIV)
Paul has been setting the scene before he introduces the gospel. The gospel is the 'good news', so first he has to explain the 'bad news'. He says that the human heart is naturally opposed to God. That might be assumed for the Gentiles, but the Jews are no better. There is no saving power in religion. Even the 'best' person is bad in God's sight.
Quoting from Psalm 14:2-3 Paul describes the extent of human hostility to God, leaving the Jews who knew the Psalm to fill in its first verse ... "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' (Psalm 14:1). It is a sad fact that no religion (including the Jewish law) can remove the essential foolishness of mankind. That foolishness is to displace Christ (Messiah) with religious rules. We simply can never be good enough, which is why we need Jesus to be our Saviour (www.crosscheck.org.uk).
It is hard for moral, disciplined, respected, religious people to be told that they cannot please God by themselves: they cannot avert the wrath of God by their pious worship or good deeds. None of that can take sins away and make them 100% pure. Sometimes it is easier for immoral people and criminals to repent because they cannot deny they are sinners. The 'nice' people just think they need a bit more polish on their halo! But they are wrong. Unless their hearts are convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit, they cannot even start to get right with God. So be gentle with your friends and colleagues, but also be firm, as you explain the need to repent and receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
Prayer: Almighty and ever wise God. Thank You for knowing us just as we are, but still loving us. Thank You for Jesus whose sacrifice enables my sin to be forgiven. Forgive me when I fall into the trap of thinking that I can do enough to please You; ignoring Your Holy Spirit telling me that I am a sinner and without Jesus I have no hope for eternity. May I be honest with myself about this, and clear when talking to my friends and colleagues. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Subscribe | View Archive | Donate | W@W Facebook Group
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Paul has been setting the scene before he introduces the gospel. The gospel is the 'good news', so first he has to explain the 'bad news'. He says that the human heart is naturally opposed to God. That might be assumed for the Gentiles, but the Jews are no better. There is no saving power in religion. Even the 'best' person is bad in God's sight.
Quoting from Psalm 14:2-3 Paul describes the extent of human hostility to God, leaving the Jews who knew the Psalm to fill in its first verse ... "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' (Psalm 14:1). It is a sad fact that no religion (including the Jewish law) can remove the essential foolishness of mankind. That foolishness is to displace Christ (Messiah) with religious rules. We simply can never be good enough, which is why we need Jesus to be our Saviour (www.crosscheck.org.uk).
It is hard for moral, disciplined, respected, religious people to be told that they cannot please God by themselves: they cannot avert the wrath of God by their pious worship or good deeds. None of that can take sins away and make them 100% pure. Sometimes it is easier for immoral people and criminals to repent because they cannot deny they are sinners. The 'nice' people just think they need a bit more polish on their halo! But they are wrong. Unless their hearts are convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit, they cannot even start to get right with God. So be gentle with your friends and colleagues, but also be firm, as you explain the need to repent and receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
Prayer: Almighty and ever wise God. Thank You for knowing us just as we are, but still loving us. Thank You for Jesus whose sacrifice enables my sin to be forgiven. Forgive me when I fall into the trap of thinking that I can do enough to please You; ignoring Your Holy Spirit telling me that I am a sinner and without Jesus I have no hope for eternity. May I be honest with myself about this, and clear when talking to my friends and colleagues. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Your next Word@Work will be sent on
W@WRomans25 | Word@Work © Dr Paul Adams 2011 | Provided by BeaconLight | Contact us at wordatwork@beaconlight.co.uk
Subscribe | View Archive | Donate | W@W Facebook Group