omans 3: 22b--24 There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. --NIV
In the name of our Redeemer, amen.
This week we look at Justification, and this verse of Holy Scripture says much in few words. Find the person who is without sin. Look through history and laugh at those who believe that by knowledge we will solve all the problems of man. There are new diseases, new catastrophes, and perversion climbs to new heights. On the other hand the idea that quality of life is better today than it ever has been in the past is not based on anything other than out own shortsighted experience.
Chase after fame and glory, or worship those who have it. Rook them out of theirs before they rook you out of yours. Control or be controlled. In the desire for the opportunity for women to work, we have created a society in which both mom and dad must work. Run the rat race. Keep up with the Joneses. Did you ever wish that you could just slow down and appreciate a rainbow the way you did as a child?
It will not change. It will not get better by the efforts of mankind. But it will get better because of the efforts of one man--the God-man Jesus Christ. He is the one without sin, and because of Him there is hope. When the despair of a world destroyed by sin brings you to the point where you have given up on yourself and everything human, then may your eyes be opened to the One Who has suffered our punishment for us so that God now says that we are righteous. It does not matter if the world is going to hell in a hand basket, we have been judged "Not guilty," by God Himself. There is no other hope, and no other hope is needed. We stand before God as righteous people because our Savior has been righteous in our place. Amen.
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, by Your Law You have shown us that we all have sinned. By Your Law You have shown us that no one is able to be righteous. Yet, out of love for us, You gave Your Son into death so that we might live. For this we give You thanks and praise forever, amen.