Romans 3:10-23
If you want to watch me at my worst, it’s usually when I either played sports or watched one of my favorite teams. I always struggle to respond with patience and kindness because, by nature, I am a very competitive person. Over the years, I have had to create boundaries so that I wouldn’t harm a relationship or lose my testimony. I have watched guys get into fights, say inappropriate things, and much more. I realized something a long time ago: I AM NOT ABOVE ANY OF THOSE THINGS! Now, before you “judge” me, realize that you are no different.
You might think: “HOW CAN HE KNOW THAT ABOUT ME?” It’s because we are all born with the same problem – sin! My issues of pride, extreme competitiveness, and especially discontented comparison have the power to really “hold me back” from serving Jesus to the best of my abilities if I am not careful. What’s your kryptonite? Everyone has one...at least one. Stop acting as if you don’t.
The Apostle Paul had some very sobering things to say about the human heart. Let’s take a look at a few of his polarizing thoughts. As we do, think about what this means to you. Can you relate? Here we go...
•No one is good; no one seeks after God on his/her own.
•Our tongues are consumed with deceit and destruction.
•We are quick to hurt people, to take advantage of them.
•We don’t fear God the way that we should.
Those are some terrifying statements that should have our attention. I hear in our culture all the time about how people are inherently “good” and “mean well.” That is exactly the opposite of what the Bible teaches. Notice what Jeremiah the prophet said about the human heart in Jeremiah 17:9: The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
The sad reality is that many people think that they can somehow “attain righteousness” through “pushing through” in their own power. For the 1st-century Jew, the temptation was to look at all the “rules and regulations” of the Mosaic Law as a measuring stick of their standing with God. What they missed was that the standard was impossible to reach in their own power; therefore, what they were doing or not doing was never going to be enough. Like a marksman shooting an arrow at a target, and always missing the mark, that is you and me. I went shooting with my father-in-law and cousin a few years ago Up North, and it didn’t go the greatest! I had a really hard time hitting the bullseye. A few came close, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. It surely doesn’t count when it comes to sin. I always miss God’s standard of righteousness, and so do you.
Any old-timers out there that remember the TV show LOST IN SPACE? What a great show to watch when I was a kid! There was a famous phrase that is used to this day with impending danger. In the 1960s sci-fi show, the family’s robot would shout “DANGER WILL ROBINSON” to warn the young boy, Will, of space alien-related threats. It was a way of saying that you'd better respond to your enemy before he takes you out.
Your greatest enemy is NOT Satan. It’s also, believe it or not, NOT the sinful culture in which you live. It is without a doubt your own sinful desires that, if left unchecked, have the power to destroy your life. If you don’t believe me, take a look at the former Michigan football coach, Sherrone Moore, and his selfish decisions that have sabotaged his career and shipwrecked his family. Our only hope is Jesus!
At Emmanuel, we prioritize CONNECTION with Jesus as our first priority! Why? Because he is literally the only one who can save us from...drum roll please...OURSELVES!
If you want to watch me at my worst, it’s usually when I either played sports or watched one of my favorite teams. I always struggle to respond with patience and kindness because, by nature, I am a very competitive person. Over the years, I have had to create boundaries so that I wouldn’t harm a relationship or lose my testimony. I have watched guys get into fights, say inappropriate things, and much more. I realized something a long time ago: I AM NOT ABOVE ANY OF THOSE THINGS! Now, before you “judge” me, realize that you are no different.
You might think: “HOW CAN HE KNOW THAT ABOUT ME?” It’s because we are all born with the same problem – sin! My issues of pride, extreme competitiveness, and especially discontented comparison have the power to really “hold me back” from serving Jesus to the best of my abilities if I am not careful. What’s your kryptonite? Everyone has one...at least one. Stop acting as if you don’t.
The Apostle Paul had some very sobering things to say about the human heart. Let’s take a look at a few of his polarizing thoughts. As we do, think about what this means to you. Can you relate? Here we go...
•No one is good; no one seeks after God on his/her own.
•Our tongues are consumed with deceit and destruction.
•We are quick to hurt people, to take advantage of them.
•We don’t fear God the way that we should.
Those are some terrifying statements that should have our attention. I hear in our culture all the time about how people are inherently “good” and “mean well.” That is exactly the opposite of what the Bible teaches. Notice what Jeremiah the prophet said about the human heart in Jeremiah 17:9: The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
The sad reality is that many people think that they can somehow “attain righteousness” through “pushing through” in their own power. For the 1st-century Jew, the temptation was to look at all the “rules and regulations” of the Mosaic Law as a measuring stick of their standing with God. What they missed was that the standard was impossible to reach in their own power; therefore, what they were doing or not doing was never going to be enough. Like a marksman shooting an arrow at a target, and always missing the mark, that is you and me. I went shooting with my father-in-law and cousin a few years ago Up North, and it didn’t go the greatest! I had a really hard time hitting the bullseye. A few came close, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. It surely doesn’t count when it comes to sin. I always miss God’s standard of righteousness, and so do you.
Any old-timers out there that remember the TV show LOST IN SPACE? What a great show to watch when I was a kid! There was a famous phrase that is used to this day with impending danger. In the 1960s sci-fi show, the family’s robot would shout “DANGER WILL ROBINSON” to warn the young boy, Will, of space alien-related threats. It was a way of saying that you'd better respond to your enemy before he takes you out.
Your greatest enemy is NOT Satan. It’s also, believe it or not, NOT the sinful culture in which you live. It is without a doubt your own sinful desires that, if left unchecked, have the power to destroy your life. If you don’t believe me, take a look at the former Michigan football coach, Sherrone Moore, and his selfish decisions that have sabotaged his career and shipwrecked his family. Our only hope is Jesus!
At Emmanuel, we prioritize CONNECTION with Jesus as our first priority! Why? Because he is literally the only one who can save us from...drum roll please...OURSELVES!
Posted in Devotional