Read: Romans 2:25-3:8
Think: Paul, in Romans 3:5-8 writes, “But,” some might say, “our sinfulness serves a good purpose, for it helps people see how righteous God is. Isn’t it unfair, then, for him to punish us?” (This is merely a human point of view.) Of course not! If God were not entirely fair, how would he be qualified to judge the world? “But,” someone might still argue, “how can God condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory?” And some people even slander us by claiming that we say, “The more we sin, the better it is!” Those who say such things deserve to be condemned.”
20th century evangelist Billy Graham spent his entire life preaching the Gospel message across the world. Like Paul, he was compelled to address “sin” at every crusade and in every book he wrote because of sin’s power over men and women. In his book, The Holy Spirit, he made a similar observation to Paul, “Today people do many forbidden things in the name of freedom. True freedom consists not in the freedom TO sin, but in the freedom NOT to sin.”
Act: Every generation, indeed every individual, struggles with the admission of sin and managing the freedom that comes with God’s forgiveness and grace. Chapter 3 in the book of Romans begins with the first premise in what is called, “Romans Road.” It is this: Everyone sins. Everyone falls short of God’s standards. But one of the greatest benefits of the Good News is when we come to God in repentance, He give us a new power—a new freedom—NOT to sin and to no longer be a slave to sin. It is then that revival is set loose in our hearts—we experience a new obedience to God!
Pray: Dear Lord, I want to be set free like Paul speaks about in Romans. I want to experience the freedom to no longer love sin, chase sin, or be tugged by sin. Start a revival in my heart. Give me a new obedience to You. Dear Jesus, set me free to love and obey You more and more. Amen.
Be full of faith today!
