* We are presented with a dichotomy in the opening of this chapter. Where Paul is speaking about God’s righteousness and Justice. He points that God must condemn unrighteousness and yet that brings him Glory. But he points out that there are those who take this too far and say that God should not judge them for their unrighteousness, and sinful acts because He receives Glory while demonstrating the contrast to God’s righteousness We might think this is far from what we do, but I ask myself how many times have I willfully participated in sin - or remained in sin, because I was counting on God’s forgiveness being there for me after ? Ouch, this one hits close to home. * Verses 10-18, places the truth of our condition under a magnifying glass. “no one is righteous, not even one” Double-click on these verses: - Do I seek God as if my life depends on it each day? - Have I ever turned to something else or someone else before God in my life? - Do I consistently do “good” as defined by God, which is Holy and righteous? - Have I ever spoken ill of anyone, or even thought it - Do I I Fear God ? Truly at all times? Does my life reflect that? If I am truthful, these verses do speak of me too. * It’s after we have been able to reflect on the truth of our condition as laid out by the Law -that verses 22-26 come and give us hope and life. * It is through faith in the finished work of Christ that we are made righteous in the sight of God. He counts Christ’s’ righteousness as ours! WOW! * God once again shows his absolute righteousness and justice, in that he must judge our sin to be truly just - but at the same time provides Christ as the payment, on whom ALL judgement was taken out on. * We gained right standing with God because he himself gave his son as propitiation for us. Have we understood the sacrifice of Christ for us? Have we truly paused to think that based only on the law of God I was condemned to death without hope, nothing in me and of me could justify me. And yet He took it all so that I may be able to once again enjoy of a right standing before God the father. Thoughts: We often find hard to truly understand that we are all fallen short from the Glory of God. We see our lives and count our actions in being “good” , but our measure is not God’s standard, but our own - that alone should tell us how off the mark we are I can come to God, because He himself made the way and paid the price so that when he looks at me he sees the righteousness of Jesus, and attributes it to me (this blows my mind) Prayer: Father remind me of the truth of my condition without you, and in the same breath open my eyes to the beauty of your sacrifice. Thank you for providing the way back to you, thank you for giving Jesus - thank you that although I don’t deserve any of it, you count the righteousness of your perfect son as my own. Holy Spirit engrave this truth in my heart and mind. Let me live a life that gives you Glory.