Ravaged By Sin

      Even our goods deeds are ravaged by the indwelling corruptible nature of sin.

I find that the majority of people think they are good enough to enter into the presence of God and into his kingdom on their own merit. They're good people. They proclaim. Comparing themselves to others. The "I haven't did this or that" routine.  So they base their merit on so called good works. But it is always based on what other people do or have done. But they might respond to the question, "are you perfect?" with a resounding NO.                                                              In God's economy it's not what you do but who you know, or rather who knows you. Scripture tells us there is no one righteous. No Not One. There is no one who does good.  No not one! And no one who seeks God. All have turned away and have become worthless. (Paul quoting the Old Testament in Romans 3:10-18)

             

                                                                                                                                         

John Newton a former  English slave trader, who became an Angelian minister, abolitionist and hymn writer including Amazing Grace penned this: Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I'm found. Was blind but now I see.  The word wretch is rarely, if ever used today. What exactly does it mean? How did John  Newton see himself. And how should we evaluate ourselves. Well, it isn't a pretty picture, how the God of all creation sees us. The word "wretch"  tells us we are scoundrels, villians, reprobates ,contemptible.  A despicable, or vile person. Not a pretty picture of our sinful fallen nature.                                                                                                                       Let's look at the word "base" since many only recognize base as a place to run to in a baseball game or a military base of operation.  Base as an adjective and now archaic to our modern day ears is denoting or befitting a person without moral principles. It is Bad;  wrong, sordid { meaning sleazy, vile, foul, dirty, filthy, degenerate, debased, vulgar, foul, abominable, shameful, disgusting. You can see some of those in our own Bibles.

                                     

 A base person is unscrupulous (Dishonest, unfair)  corrupt (a lot of that going around these days) abhorrent {repugnant, replusive, revolting, offensive,} and disgusting. Also dispicable {meaning obnoxious, detestable, infamous, unprincipled, abominable and finally vile {debauched, diabolical {devilish, satanic, hellish), damnable, depraved, reprobate and perverted.                                                                                                                                                                          That is how every single human being appears to a Holy, Righteous and Perfect God. God can not tolerate such human wretchedness. Only perfection is accepted in the kingdon of God. An eternal, everlasting God demands that one be perfect, as the Father in heaven is perfect, for those who may enter his kingdom. Nothing else will do.                                                                                              Yet  Scripture tells us in this is love. Not that we loved God, but that He loved us. and sent His Son as a propitiation (that is an atoning sacrifice 1 John 4:10) for our sins. And thus we have the cross upon which Christ Jesus was placed. Died, was buried and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. To believe that is to believe God. To believe that is to have redemption. To have that is to have everlasting life in the presence of God and the glory of His power.

                                             

                                                                                                                                                                                 To understand  how odious our present state is before God. How replusive, foul and offensive we are is to have a whole new appreciation for what God has done for the sinful, fallen state of human kind. Our condition is worse than you think. And it's more glorious and beautiful than you can fathom when we believe.                                                                                                                         It's like protesting the opening of Lazarus tomb because it had been four days since he died and they warned , "He strinketh!"  PU! That's how all people are before God. We are a foul, disgusting odor. But when one trusts in Jesus as Savior and Lord we become a soothing aroma, a pleasing aroma of Christ, His perfect righteousness is imputed to us.  The only One who could provide the eternally pleasing sacrifice. God sees that righeousness of His only Son and we are accepted into the Kingdom of God.                                                                       It is not what we do, but what Christ Jesus has done. As God the Father said, "this is my beloved Son in whom I am well please. Listen to Him!" And as Jesus proclaimed in the Gospel of John, "I am the way, the truth and the Life. No one comes to the father except through me."  And Peter proclaimed "salvation is found in no one else. For there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved." " God made Him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin (offering)  for us. So that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."                                                                                                                   Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God  which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,  and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,  among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           If you have confessed, repented and desire to trust and obey the King of Kings and Lord of Lords,  your place in Gods kingdom is assured. As Jesus the Christ Himself said: "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.  And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.  I and My Father are one.”                                                                                                                                                                                                 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,  not of works, lest anyone should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.  Good works are the result of God's calling us. Not its cause. Therefore let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.                                                     

(   John 14:6; 2 Cor. 5:21; Romans 1:1-4; John 10:27-30; Matt. 10:16)