What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one: no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless, no one does good, not even one” -Romans 3:9-12 ESV
Warrior;
Next to Jesus Himself- most would consider the Apostle Paul as the greatest Christian in the New Testament. And He made it very clear in Philippians 3:3 that we shall BOAST in Christ and put NO CONFIDENCE in the flesh. The Pride of Life is considered one of the three main areas of sin that come from the world, from Satan- NOT FROM GOD! (1 john 2:16) The Psalmist asked the question: “If the Lord marks iniquity, who should stand?” The answer- NO ONE! Paul leaves no doubt: NONE, NOT ONE, No ONE, ALL -have fallen short of the glory of God and His perfect standard!
Leader, there are many RELIGIONS; Islam, Catholicism, Mormonism…- that believe that God will judge us “on balance.” If our good deeds outweigh our bad deeds, we will arrive safely in heaven. The dilemma is this: God is holy, and we are not. God is righteous, and we are not! The word RIGHTEOUS means to be in GOOD standing with God the Father! The Bible is clear; apart from Jesus- NOT ONE human being, without exception, is righteous. Not a single unregenerate person can be found who understands God. Every person turns aside from God. All become unprofitable in spiritual matters. At rock bottom no one even does good — no, not one- not YOU or ME nor Mother Theresa or Billy Graham!
Conduit, God’s standard is PERFECTION! His standard includes outward behavior (that our actions conform perfectly to His law) and internal motivation (that all our acts proceed from a heart that loves Him perfectly)! Against this standard we see that our pretended “goodness” is no goodness at all. Augustine said that man’s best works are nothing more than “splendid vices.” Job 29:14:”I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban. Galatians 3:27: For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. The GOOD NEWS: God has made PROVISION! Jesus is JEHOVAH TSIDKENU= The Lord OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS! Today: DRESS FOR SUCCESS and PUT ON JESUS!
Way of The Warrior- A Daily Devotional 