Stained or Covered?

As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks after God. All have turned away; all alike have become worthless; there is no one who does good, no, not even one. Their throat is an open grave; they deceive with their tongues; vipers’ venom is under their lips; Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and wretchedness are in their paths; and the path of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes. Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are subject to the law, that every mouth may be shut and the whole world may become subject to God’s judgment” (Rom 3:10–19). I don’t know about you but for me these were some hard words to swallow.

Before being born again I thought if God does exist, I would be fine. People told me that He is both loving and forgiving. I had always helped others, worked hard, and thought that I was a good person. Oh, how wrong I was! After reading how God has given each one of us the natural law written on our hearts, a conscience, and the creation that makes His invisible qualities–His eternal power and divine nature–known, I realized that God is absolutely right. I, a wretched man, have suppressed the truth in unrighteousness. On the day of judgement my mouth would be shut before Him because my “good” deeds are stained by years of rebellion. I would be justly sent to hell for eternity.

But glory to God! He is infinitely gracious, offering us a way to be forgiven. By the Father sending His Son into the world to live a perfect life, die, and receive the wrath that we deserve. The Spirit testifies all who will repent and put their full faith in Jesus Christ’s finished work on the cross will inherit eternal salvation. So, when you stand in front of God to be judged the question is; will you stand on your own “good” deeds which are stained with sin, or will you humbly answer, “I am only covered by the blood of Christ”?

Keanan Fischer