Isaiah 64: 5b--6 How then can we be saved? All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. --NIV
In the name of the One Who saves us, amen.
I listened to a Roman Catholic radio station the other night. The doctrinal expert who was talking said that according to the second chapter of Romans, a person can be justified by observing the Law, as well as by faith. But this passage, among many others shows how contrary that idea is to God's word. Again and again it is stressed that no one has kept the Law; no one has been perfect and holy as God is perfect and holy. This passage emphasizes it in a unique way. The question is asked, "how can we be saved?" And it gives the reason the situation is so hopeless. The fact of the matter is that our most holy acts, our best works, are totally unacceptable to God.
The story is told that Saint Augustin debated this point with a friend. The friend insisted that it is possible to do something without sinning. Saint Augustin then bet his friend that he could not. "What should we bet?" the friend asked. "Well," Saint Augustin said, "If you can say the Lord's Prayer without sinning, I will give you my horse." "Ok," His friend agreed.
So the man began to pray very piously and with complete concentration. When he got part way through he paused, "Does the saddle come with it?" And so the man had to admit that he could not even pray the Lord's Prayer without sinning. So it goes with everything we do. We give an offering, and it is tainted with pride. We help someone out and revel in the praise we receive for it. We obey the laws of our land, but only out of the fear of getting caught.
Therefore the question remains, "How then can we be saved?" God Himself gives the answer. All through Isaiah we read that God will do it Himself. In Genesis it is the Seed of the woman. In the New Testament we see that the Promised One came and saved us. How then can we be saved? By grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, we see that nothing we do is enough for us to be saved. Help us never to rely on anything we do for salvation. Send us Your Holy Spirit to give us faith for salvation in nothing but Jesus Christ, amen.