A Daily Purpose

Bible Study & Devotional 196

Written by: Torrie Slaughter

Guiding Scripture: Romans 3:4, ‘Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.” ‘

🔴Faithful & Just

We often use the call and response, ‘God is good, all the time. And all the time God is good.’ as a unifying reminder. We worship a just God. He is faithful, and we need not wonder if what He says is true.

In Romans 3, the Apostle Paul continues to mediate between the Jews and the Gentiles. Their arguments are similar to ours. We want to maintain a level of superiority, not humility. Paul admonishes both Jews and Gentiles and tells us we all fall short of the glory of God.

While we argue over trivial things about who is right or wrong, God remains faithful. He is the only one we sin against and do evil in His sight (Psalm 51:4). The way we overcome evil and stop the thoughts Satan plants is through confessing our sins.
In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Humility

Asking God to forgive our sins and help us live righteous lives means we have work to do. It’s easier to go into our prayer closets or kneel quietly at the altar but seek forgiveness and admit our errors before people?! That is how the Holy Spirit matures and develops our spiritual strength.

As you read today’s passages, think about the criteria you impose on those seeking to worship the Lord with you. Do they need to wear certain clothes or sit in specific places? We deviate from loving our neighbor when we decide to judge by our unjust scales.

Prayer:  Lord, help us to be peacemakers and follow your ways. We do not want to assist the enemy in dividing your kingdom. Show us our errors. Be a guard over our mouths that we may speak and do your will. Keep our hearts pure, so bitterness does not have a chance to fester. Lord, we want to shine your light by sharing our conversion story with the world. May we do our part to glorify your great name. Amen