June 15 - Romans 3: A Pure Gift

Basically, all of us, whether insiders or outsiders, start out in identical conditions, which is to say that we all start out as sinners. Scripture leaves no doubt about it. (3:10) 

The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. (3:22) 

Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. (3:23) 

God sacrificed Jesus on the altar of the world to clear that world of sin. Having faith in him sets us in the clear. (3:25) 

God sets things right. He also makes it possible for us to live in his rightness. (3:26) 

God sets right all who welcome his action and enter into it (3:30)

The gospel. The Good News. Soul-satisfying truth. Mind-boggling love. A pure gift.

Yet I have too many friends who have refused this gift, thinking they have no need for Jesus or what He offers. I don't say this as condemnation. I get it. For 27 years of my life, I rejected Jesus' offer as well.

This is on my mind because I spent last weekend with two dear unbelieving friends who I pray will come to know the Lord. I continue to ask God to reveal HImself to each of these friends and to transform their lives. It pains me to think of how far they are from God, and I feel the burden of being their only friend who points them to Jesus.

Oswald Chambers gives me insight into the root of their disbelief:

"The gospel of the grace of God awakens an intense longing in human souls and an equally intense resentment, because the truth that it reveals is not palatable or easy to swallow. There is a certain pride in people that causes them to give and give, but to come and accept a gift is another thing...do not humiliate me to the level of the most hell-deserving sinner and tell me that all I have to do is accept the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. 

"We have to realize that we cannot earn or win anything from God through our own efforts. We must either receive it as a gift or do without it. The greatest spiritual blessing we receive is when we come to the knowledge that we are destitute. Unless we get there, our Lord is powerless. He can do nothing for us as long as we think we are sufficient in and of ourselves. We must enter into the kingdom through the door of destitution. As long as we are "rich," particularly in the area of pride or independence, God can do nothing for us." My Utmost For His Highest

Lord, I pray for my friends. I ask You to open their eyes and hearts to Your truth. May they see that they've nothing to offer You and cannot earn Your gift on their own merit. May the truth and beauty of the gospel be evident to them today. Thank You for Your sheer generosity in sending Jesus-setting-things-right for each and every one of us.