Romans 3:1-20 It All Started With Man Saying No To God

Paul declared that all men were sinners and proved it with several quotations from the Old Testament.  Psalm 14:1-3 - "The fool hath said in his heart, 'No, God!'  It all started with man saying no to God ... The whole of man's inner being is controlled by sin:  his mind (none that understand), his heart (none that seek after God), and his will (none that does good).  Measured by God's perfect righteousness, no human being is sinless.  No sinner seeks after God.  Therefore, God must seek the sinner."

Verses 13-14 emphasize human speech ... The sinner is spiritually dead by nature, therefore only death can come out of his mouth ... Verses 15-16 pictured the sinner's feet ... His ways are destructive ... Verse 17 deals with the sinner's mind:  he does not know the way of God's peace ... he prefers to believe Satan's lie ... Verse 18 describes the sinner's arrogant pride -- 'There is no fear of God before their eyes.' ... No flesh can obey God's law and be justified ... This inability is one way that men know they are sinners.  When they try to obey the law, the fail miserably and need to cry out for God's mercy."

"It is only when we stand silent before Him as sinners that He can save us.  As long as we defend ourselves and command ourselves, we cannot be saved by God's grace."

Father, thank You for helping me see all those years ago that my raging at You and defending myself was nothing more than what is described here.  I'm so glad You finally brought me to see that all I can do is stand silent before You and accept Your grace.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford