ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE DAY

Romans 7:10

I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.

My daughter Amanda is in third grade, and for those of you who are parents you know, this is a very important grade -- especially for mathematics. In third grade, children learn their multiplication tables, and if basic mathematics is not learned thoroughly -- let's just say it will handicap a child well into adulthood. Amanda has really responded well to my concern and interest in her multiplication tables and she is awesome. Last night she performed her seven's for me flawlessly and in record time. She and I were both so proud. Amanda told me: "All I need to know now are my eights, and twelves." "What about your nines, tens, and elevens?" I asked. Amanda replied confidently: "I already know my nines, and the tens and elevens are easy. I almost know everything I need to know about math." I didn't have the heart to tell her she was only on the first few steps of the math ladder: long division, algebra, geometry, calculus, etc. would follow. She was still a very long way from the top -- if a top even exists.

In our passage today, I believe Paul is speaking about his life as a Pharisee, before he knew Jesus Christ, and while he was still known as Saul. During that time, he found the more he studied the Law the more he realized how hopelessly far he was from the Law. Unlike Amanda, he clearly saw the ultimate goal of righteous living (which was revealed by the Law), and realized climbing the ladder to true spirituality was a virtual impossibility for sin-filled man. It is not surprising to me that this scholarly revelation was soon turned into aggressive persecution of the new Christian faith. What foolishness it must have seemed to Saul, after all his efforts at pursuing righteousness, that God by grace would offer His righteousness to anyone who placed their faith and belief in Jesus Christ. It must have seemed far too easy.

Righteousness: too easy or too hard? I guess it depends on your perspective. Certainly it's too hard if we try and pursue it based upon our own effort. But the truly hard part is surrendering our will completely and placing our life in the hands of the Lord. Acknowledging that we can't "work" our way into heaven by being a good person is one of the great keys to receiving the gift of eternal life. We all need a Savior. Have you met Jesus? Does He know you?

POCKETPOWER.ORG