Daily Devotional For Thursday, May 2, 2024
Well, you are almost to the end of the week. Today, is Thursday. Yesterday, we looked at whatever became of sin. We cannot really appreciate who Jesus is and what He did for us until we acknowledge that we are sinners. There is nothing inherently good in any of us. Look at Romans 3:10-12, “None is righteous, no, not one; (11) no one understands; no one seeks for God. (12) All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one” (ESV). The Bible affirms the none of us ever does good by God’s standard. The problem is we are very prone to use the world’s definition of “good” rather than God’s.
Until we affirm, acknowledge and apply this internally, we cannot and will not see a real need for Jesus Christ as our Savior. The truth is we cannot save ourselves nor can we earn our way into heaven. Even our best expressions of kindness, generosity, love, mercy and grace still leave us short or the standards of God Almighty. Our sins, our wickedness, our iniquities, our disobedience and rebellion put Jesus on the cross. We had just as much a part in the crucifixion of Jesus as did the Romans soldiers.
Christian author and pastor John MacArthur writes this:
“But deep in his heart man knows there is a problem with the way he is, that something is wrong. No matter whom or what he may try to blame for that feeling, he cannot escape it. He feels guilt, not only about things he has done that he knows are wrong but also about the kind of person he is on the inside . . . The ancient Roman philosopher Seneca wrote that every guilty person is his own hangman. No matter how often a man tells himself he is good, he inevitably sees that he cannot help thinking, saying, and doing wrong things and feeling guilty about it” (Source:” John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, “Romans,” pp.177-178).
Though we have a need for the miraculous and God’s power working in our lives we must first recognize that we need a Savior. God’s standard for us is holiness, godliness, purity, and righteousness. Southside, unlike some teachers in schools, God has never and will never grade on a curve. This is why all of us need Jesus. Sin is something we can never overcome on our own. Sin comes naturally to us.
The story of Jesus makes many people feel uncomfortable and awkward. It should because Jesus made some claims that many do not like or believe. Jesus claimed in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” ESV). This statement by Jesus has offended many people in the past and continues to offend many today. Either it is true about Jesus or it is not. There is no middle ground or alternative way according to Jesus. Rick Mattson writes in his book, Faith is Like Skydiving: And Other Memorable Images for Dialogue with Seekers and Skeptic, this:
“I’m not the one making the exclusive claim about salvation—Jesus is. He is the one who said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). I’m simply trusting his authority to know these things. It’s like going to my excellent family physician, Dr. Lehman. If he tells me my cholesterol is too high and that I need to cut down on sweets and fatty foods, I believe him. He’s an expert on the matter. Sure, there are plenty of other voices I could listen to about my health, including celebrities, infomercials and tabloid articles. To the extent that these voices disagree with Dr. Lehman, they’re most likely wrong. My physician has made the “exclusive” claim that his patient, me, has a certain malady that requires a certain treatment. I’m just the amateur who believes him.”
He goes on to say this later in a few paraphrases in his book: “I went to a sleep specialist doctor because apparently, I snore a lot. I told everyone, including the sleep specialist doctor, “Fine, do your study, but I am NOT wearing one of those CPAP machines.” I was convinced the doctor was getting kickbacks from the CPAP machine company. So I spent the night with electrodes stuck on my head and the doctor gave me his diagnosis: you have sleep apnea and you need to wear a CPAP. Now I trusted his expertise even less. I called a doctor friend to investigate this quack with his kickback scam. My friend said, “Your doctor is the real deal. Wear the CPAP machine. You’ll have more time on earth to enjoy your grandchildren.” So, every night I put that silly mask on my face. Why? Because after kicking and screaming, I have come to trust and to surrender to my doctor—his authority, his expertise. Why do followers of Jesus obey Him in all things? Because they have surrendered to his authority and expertise” (Source: Rick Mattson, Faith is Like Skydiving: And Other Memorable Images for Dialogue with Seekers and Skeptics, pp. 118-119).
Questions To Answer
- When it comes to viewing yourself as a sinner in need of a Savior, is there enough evidence to convict you in a court of law of this reality? Why or why not?
- If you said “yes,” what is that evidence that everyone can see?
- Rick Mattson had to eventually trust his doctor’s medical expertise and experience with his snoring. It no longer really mattered what he thought or believed: he snored and needed a CPAP machine if he wanted to live long enough to see his future grandchildren. Jesus says you are sick with the disease called sin. He is the Great Physician. How do you need to apply the Great Physician’s diagnosis to your own life?
- Do you ever compare your goodness to the other people’s goodness? Why? What does that say about you and why?
- If God is right — there are none good — which would include you — what is the standard or measure you should be using and why?
Scripture to Meditate On: Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. (14) For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (ESV).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Jesus, I am a sinner in need of You. I affirm and acknowledge there is nothing good in my by Your standards. I fall on Your mercy and I ask for Your forgiveness when I acted or felt I am better. Jesus, I am a sinner and only You can be my Savior. I humbly come to You seeking Your grace, mercy, forgiveness and restoration. Thank You in Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside! — Pastor Kelly