Verse of the Day 8/16

Verse of the Day 8/16

Romans 3:23-24

New Living Translation

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

Have you ever heard someone say that they would get to heaven because they "are basically a good person" or that they've "done more good than bad" and that God would understand.  The Bible has more than a few words to say about that and in today's verses Paul puts it right out there, everyone has sinned, literally "missed the mark".  We can't achieve God's standards on our own. Earlier in the chapter Paul quoted the Old Testament, writing that "there is none righteous", that is, who is in right standing. before God, "not one". Jesus set the standard by living a perfect life.  Where does that leave us?

Where does that leave us? Thankfully, we don't have to go far for that answer either. "Yet God, in His grace ... makes us right.... through Jesus Christ. He offers that grace which includes forgiveness when we turn to Him and trust in Him as our Savior.

All of this reminds me of Psalm 23 where Jesus, as the Good Shepherd leads us, renews us, restores us and pursues us with His love.  The sheep that has gone astray can't make it on his own, but the Good Shepherd can bring him back to the fold, He cares for every lost sinner.

Psalm 23:6

New Living Translation

6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me

    all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
    forever.

1. Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care;
   In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use Thy folds prepare.
   Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
   Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
2. We are Thine, Thou dost befriend us, be the Guardian of our way;
   Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us, seek us when we go astray.
   Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Hear, O hear us when we pray.
   Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Hear, O hear us when we pray.
3. Thou hast promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be;
   Thou hast mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse and pow'r to free.
   Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! We will early turn to Thee.
   Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! We will early turn to Thee.
4. Early let us seek Thy favor, early let us do Thy will;
   Blessed Lord and only Savior, with Thy love our bosoms fill.
   Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast loved us, love us still.
   Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast loved us, love us still.

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

Romans 3:21-26

New Living Translation

Christ Took Our Punishment

21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses[a] and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.