Brethren, my
heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is for their salvation. For I bear
them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with
knowledge. For not knowing about God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish
their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. For
Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Romans 10:1-4
Are you a good person? What a hard question! As compared to
whom? The popular comparison is to someone we regard to be extremely wicked,
selfish, and greedy. In that comparison, we usually say, “I like to think I am a
good person,” or, “I never do these things . . .” or, “I always try to do these
things . . .” When “good” humans are compared to “bad” humans, we look pretty
good.
What if the comparison is to God? That is the comparison we never like! Why? No
matter what acts or attitudes are compared, none of us look good. We are talking
about the One who gave us Jesus, who gave us forgiveness, who gave us mercy, and
who provides us salvation in our unworthiness. How do you compare yourself to
that?
Understand one thing, and impossible despair is replaced with the hope of
expectation. What one thing? This realization: God does not compare! He gives us
Jesus for two objectives: (a) to eliminate comparisons and (b) to provide us
goals for transformation. God looks at you, your personal potential for
godliness, and your commitment to growth in Christlilkeness. How much do you
believe in what God did for you in Jesus’ death and resurrection? Is your
confidence in your deeds or in God’s achievements in Jesus Christ? Do you obey
God to place God in debt to you, or do you obey God to express your gratitude?
Do you serve God because you fear divine punishment, or because your genuinely
desire to be like Jesus? Do you do good to honor you or to honor the Lord?
God knows your background, weaknesses, struggles, and failures, and it is
okay—if you place your confidence in Jesus. Some of the most religious people
Paul knew made a huge mistake: they placed their confidence in their deeds
instead of what God did in Jesus Christ. Never trust your deeds—they are never
enough! Trust what God did in Jesus—it is always enough! The difference is the
difference between that of failure and service, between a terror-filled life and
a hope-filled life! Trust Jesus, not you!
David Chadwell
Link to other Writings of David Chadwell