2002-01-11 - Not a Chance

Recently as I was trying to turn into a store on the way to a church meeting, I thought "sitting here in rush hour, there is no way I could make this turn without a left-turn light. I wouldn't have a chance." And suddenly I thought, "that's how it is for us as Christians. WIthout the Cross, we wouldn't have a chance."

We would be totally hopeless if we had to earn our way to Heaven. If we had to depend on our own goodness, we wouldn't have a chance. Except for Christ, every human being who has ever lived, was sinful.

Romans 3:23 (NASB) For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Most of us sin every day; I know that I do. But even if we committed only one sin in our entire lives (can you imagine?), we would still be guilty.

James 2:10 (NASB) For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.

Even Isaiah, who was one of God's chosen prophets, was so sinful that he called himself a "man of unclean lips." And Paul despaired that he continued to commit the sins he did not want to commit.

Thankfully, we are not left mired in our sinfulness. God, in His grace, has provided a way out for us. The rest of Romans 3 describes the hope for us:

Romans 3:24-27 (NASB) being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.

Thanks to God's gift, we do have a chance. All we have to do is accept the gift of salvation in faith.

John 3:16 (NASB) For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

If you have not accepted God's gift for you, and would like to talk or ask about that, feel free to write me or anyone at cfdevotionals. If you have, I urge you to join me in thanking God anew for this "indescribable gift," and under the Spirit's guidance, to share it gently with others.

Jan

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