JAN 6

Romans 3:10-20
Memorise Romans 3:10
“all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags…”

What do you think? Do you think you are a good person? Think of everything that you have ever done in your life. And then try to balance them on the scales of what you think is good and bad. How do you think you would measure up? Be honest with yourself. Do not try to rationalize or justify your actions, or try to compare with others. Simply judge your actions objectively. What are your results like?

Now add God into the equation. When you first judged your own goodness, what was the basis of your judgment? Realise that there is only one absolute standard in the world, and that is the standard of God. God is holy, and it is His standard of holiness that we must live up to. If we were to base it upon our own ideas of morality and virtue, it can be easily disputed, and is very subjective. Our idea of good and bad is often decided by our culture, nurture and experiences in life. However, God’s standards as given in His Word never change, and it is to that yardstick that we ought to compare ourselves. God’s Word is therefore like a searchlight, that shines into every deep dark corner of your life, that reveals every thought, word and action that you have ever had, and determines if it is good or bad. 

Sadly, when faced with such a standard, the verdict quickly becomes very clear. Romans 3:12 clearly states that “there is none that doeth good, no, not one”. We are all innately sinful. No one ever taught us how to lie or cheat or throw tantrums. We did it naturally. Why? Because of the original sin inherited from our father Adam. When he fell in the Garden of Eden, we all became sinners, and could not help but sin. There is nothing that we can do to make up for sin in our lives, and make ourselves good people. There is only one man who could ever have been described as a good person
– and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. That is why our only hope is in Him. 

Dear teen, the truth is that we are all sinners. If you have repented of your sins and believe in Christ, you are now a child of God, and are good only because of the merits of Christ. If not, you are still a sinner and dead in your sins and trespasses. Come to the Saviour and make no delay. He is waiting for you.

Thought: I may not be a good person, but Jesus Christ is, and therefore my only hope is in Him.
Prayer: Lord, forgive me for my unrighteousness, and thank You for the blood of Christ that washes me clean.