I have been thinking a lot about two NT passages lately. The first is Romans 1:18 - 3:20 which I have taught many times and will soon teach again. The second is a benediction often used at the end of church services, found in Jude 24, 25. I've just been enjoying Jude's words recently as a personal meditation.
The Romans passage is the strongest passage I know in the Bible that emphatically and at length describes the rebellion, failure, disobedience, corruption and sinfulness of all humans. The description is accurate and devastating both of those who had the OT and those who had no Sciptures. We are all so strongly inclined to be "like sheep (who) have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way". We are guilty and desperately need the forgiveness found only through faith in Christ; and the righteousness that only God can give us.
How great is the righteousness, the justification that God provides? Jude tells us. It is possible in spite of the catalogue of sin in Romans; more than possible it is certain for all who truly believe, that one day we will be presented "before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy"! Amazing! Impossible, except that God can do what appears to be impossible.
Imagine: all the things from all my years which cause me shame - evil thoughts, wounding words, selfish actions, failure to act in love, were dealt with and are forgiven because of the Cross of Christ. Almost beyond belief that one day because I have received God's righteousness I will be presented without fault in God's pure, holy, righteous presence! And in place of any feeling of guilt and shame, Jude writes that I will feel great joy. Amazing! Whew, I hope you will let that truth grip you anew as it has gripped me.
Jude also reminds us in those two brief verses that our God "is able to keep you from falling". I hope you will live in the strength and joy of these inspired biblical truths today.
The Romans passage is the strongest passage I know in the Bible that emphatically and at length describes the rebellion, failure, disobedience, corruption and sinfulness of all humans. The description is accurate and devastating both of those who had the OT and those who had no Sciptures. We are all so strongly inclined to be "like sheep (who) have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way". We are guilty and desperately need the forgiveness found only through faith in Christ; and the righteousness that only God can give us.
How great is the righteousness, the justification that God provides? Jude tells us. It is possible in spite of the catalogue of sin in Romans; more than possible it is certain for all who truly believe, that one day we will be presented "before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy"! Amazing! Impossible, except that God can do what appears to be impossible.
Imagine: all the things from all my years which cause me shame - evil thoughts, wounding words, selfish actions, failure to act in love, were dealt with and are forgiven because of the Cross of Christ. Almost beyond belief that one day because I have received God's righteousness I will be presented without fault in God's pure, holy, righteous presence! And in place of any feeling of guilt and shame, Jude writes that I will feel great joy. Amazing! Whew, I hope you will let that truth grip you anew as it has gripped me.
Jude also reminds us in those two brief verses that our God "is able to keep you from falling". I hope you will live in the strength and joy of these inspired biblical truths today.
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