Verse of the Day 7/30

Through the Bible - Psalms 62-64, Romans 3   Good morning, In the New Testament reading outlined above we have now moved into the book of Romans which some look at as Paul's "magnum opus" (great work) in the New Testament.  Today's reading is in Romans 3.   On my way out to Sacramento CA on business, I flew through Las Vegas which is known by some as "sin city".  The city has proudly adopted the slogan "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas".  It is a lie.  Sin is like extra baggage.  You carry the guilt and the consequences of it around with you until it is dealt with.  This means recognizing it, acknowledging your need of forgivenes, confessing it to God, and repenting, turning from it.   Today's verse from Romans 3 tells us the truth about sin. Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,   NKJV or from the NLT Rom 3:23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. No matter how hard we try on our own, we miss the mark, and fall short of HIs standard.   Dr. Karl Menninger writes, "Is no one any longer guilty of anything?  Guilty perhaps of a sin that could be repented and repaired or atoned for?  Is it only that someone may be stupid or sick or criminal - or asleep?  Wrong things are being done, we know; tares are being sewn into the wheat field at night.  But is no one responsible, no one answerable for these acts? Anxiety and depression we all acknowledge, and even vague guilt feelings; but has no one committed any sins? Where indeed did sin go?  What became of it?"   John MacArthur writes, "When was the last time that you heard an on the air counselor tell someone suffering from conscience pangs, "your guilt is valid, you are sinful and must seek repentance." Forgiveness and freedom from the guilt is available and it is not from trying to delete it from our conscience and our minds.    I'll close with these words of wisdom from Proverbs.   Prov 28:13 People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.  NLT Do you need mercy?  Turn to Christ.   If you haven't done so, take some time and read Romans 1-3. In Christ, Mike Rom 3:21-27 God's Righteousness Through Faith Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. NKJV