2 minute read.
Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 22:1-23:32 ESV, Romans 3:9-31 ESV, Psalm 12:1-8 ESV, Proverbs 19:13-14 ESV
Daily Verse: “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.” (Romans 3:19 ESV)
HUPODIKOS (5267): “Brought to trial, answerable. Rom. 3:19 is translated “guilty,” the decisions of the court.”[i]
Decision of the court.
If we didn’t have the law, we wouldn’t understand sin. Standards create expectations of ourselves and others. Paul reminds us that one day we will answer to God for our deeds and actions. None of us have a clean record, so Jesus cleaned it for us. We don’t have to fear standing before God; Jesus took the judgment for us.
Rules guide us along the narrow path. Following the ten commandments produces healthy relationships. The first four tell us how to relate to God and the last six how to relate to others. When we do what the Good Book says, life-giving experiences like we never imagined will begin to happen.
Honesty challenge.
Just because Jesus paid the price for our past, current, and future sins doesn’t mean we can do whatever we want. Once we recognize and confess sin in our lives, as Jesus said to the adulterous woman, “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11 ESV). God does expect us to live to a higher standard, setting an example for those who don’t know Jesus.
Start with honesty. Everyone knows not to lie, yet we do. Ron and I recently talked about how we handle it when someone lies to us. Where I call them out on the lie, with love, Ron doesn’t. Not confronting the lies leads to problems for my husband because when he lets small lies stand, they turn into more significant lies.
Next time, lying seems the most straightforward course to take; tell the truth to others and God. Confess the sin plaguing you to your Creator; He already knows it. God’s just waiting for you to tell Him. When you strive for honesty with God and others, you will experience freedom like never before.
Hard at first, honesty always pays off in the long run. Regrets become smaller when you tell the truth. Honesty leads to self-awareness, closer relationships, and more fulfilling life.
One day, we will stand before God, but we need not fear. Jesus paid the price we can’t. Today, live your life for Christ. Let your gratitude for the Savior show in everything you do.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 259) Thomas Nelson
