Focusing on the cross as I have over the past month or so has put me on “high alert.” Then after preaching this past week on the shadow of the cross, I sense a hyper-vigilance. Case in point: today’s Scripture reading from Romans 3.
The Familiar. “No one is righteous, not even one.” (3:10). “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (v.23)
The Refresher. “Yet, God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty of sin. For God presented Christ as the sacrifice for sin.” (24-25a)
The AHA moment. “This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate His righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declared sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.” (25b-26)
It is always good to read the familiar. The go-to verses. It is equally good to read refresher verses- those verses that shore up what you heard or taught but felt good to be reminded of. But those AHA moments! Those are what you live and read and study for. AND LOOK FOR. God took care of the past, the present and the future. He offered His righteousness BECAUSE HE IS FAIR AND JUST, to all who believe. Oh yeah!
Have you had any AHA moments lately? Care to share? How about the one I shared today?
“Father, I thank You that Your Word does not grow old. Your mercies are new every morning. I thank you for the familiar, the refresher and the AHA moment this morning.”
All Scripture is from the New Living Translation.
Reading your AHA verse reminded me a little bit about a series I had watched awhile back called Merlin.
With the title, you can imagine the primary character… and it involves various secondary characters.
The time setting is when Arthur and Merlin are young (late teen/early 20’s) and are getting to know one another and the Arthur’s father, Uther is King.
Uther has the appearance, the facade, of fair and just… but moments in the series make you realize that their is very little room for forgiveness and isn’t necessarily fair and just all the time.
Thankfully God is
Fair and Just – Past Present, Future…
Good He is King –
Very interesting illustration Ryan. And I especially love your application. I, too, am glad he is a good king. Fair and Just.
God’s Word is ever filled with those “AHA” moments, Bill. In reading the Psalms today, I came across “Be still, and know that I am God.” Boy, how I needed to read this passage again and take it to heart!
Blessings!
That psalm is essential. I hope you will see a connection to tomorrow’s devotion (which I wrote this morning).