POSSIBLE
“God sets things right. He also makes it possible for us to live in his rightness.” Romans 3:26
Oh. That’s all up to him?
But I have been trying so hard! I think for most of my life I’ve worked and struggled to obey the Ten Commandments and the words of Jesus. Whatever situation I was in, I would be quick to learn the rules and determined not to mess up.
But I haven’t done a very good job. None of us have. There is not one person, no matter how self-disciplined or selfless, that could clear themselves with God on their own. It’s impossible.
The next two verses in this passage say:
“…What we’ve learned is this: God does not respond to what we do; we respond to what God does. We’ve finally figured it out. Our lives get in step with God and all others by letting him set the pace, not by proudly or anxiously trying to run the parade.”
Pride and anxiety.
That’s what we end up with when we try to earn God’s love and salvation.
When we try to do it on our own.
When we don’t trust his forgiveness.
When we keep trying to take control of our lives.
But what if we let him take charge of our rightness? What if we finally figure out that “God doesn’t respond to what we do, but we respond to what God does”?
He truly is the only one who can make it possible for us to live in relationship with him. We can’t earn it, we can’t work hard enough or be good enough through our own efforts.
He knows we like to try. He is fully aware of our weaknesses and selfishness, and our need for control. So he reminds us that he has already taken care of it once and for all. His most precious gift to us–the sacrifice of his sinless, compassionate, obedient, faithful son– has made us bright and pure and clean in his eyes forever.
He brings us into rightness with him because of what he did, not because of what we do. He makes it possible for us to be right with him because he loves us.
More deeply and purely and unconditionally than our hearts and minds can ever comprehend.
Stand firm: Remember – through the death and resurrection of Jesus, our God has already taken care of setting us right with him. He can lead the parade of our lives perfectly and beautifully with more love than we know what to do with. Let’s get out of his way and follow along, in step with joy.