Denial

Romans 3:9-20

What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written:  “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.  All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”  “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.”  “The venom of asps is under their lips.”  “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”  “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.”  “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”  Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

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People who deny they have an ailment or issue (a bad marriage, an injury, loss of hearing or sight, cancer or aids, etc.) do not get healed.  This principle applies to things of faith as well.  We do not see or recognize our sinfulness, in-ability, insufficiency and rebellion to God.  Therefore, we don’t believe that we deserve to be separated from Him.  We deny our sinful reality.  Granted, many Christians will acknowledge that they believe this, but our lives show otherwise.  How so?

There is a lack of joy in Christians (and non-Christians).  I point out Christians because this simply should not be the case.  The first step towards joy is owning our wretchedness and recognizing that we are no better than the people we condemn.  It is by grace that we are saved and it is by grace that God continues to reveal himself to us and sanctify us.  The most mature Christians repent more and see their sinful nature rearing it’s ugly head on all occasions.  I pray that we will grow in humility as we come to grips with who we are apart from God’s grace and loving-kindness.

As Romans 3:21-26 lay out, our sinfulness is certainly not the end of the story.  God’s righteousness made known in Christ saves the day, but unless we see our need for Jesus and what we deserve, joy will not break out.  I heard that Charles Spurgeon’s church was so melted by the gospel (our utter sinfulness yet absolute acceptance) that the joy they experienced brought them to the brink of death on a particular week or weekend.  They had to ask for God to hold back his love, otherwise they would surely die.  My pride is in the way and I hope that God will melt it away and allow me to see just how great his loving-kindness really is.