TUESDAY
The morality conversation we covered in two weeks of sermons. The first, on the moral law and our violation of it. The second was on God’s response to our violation of the moral law.
Scripture teaches us that there is an absolute moral law that we are all beholden to.
Romans 2:14–15 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)
Subsequently, it also teaches that we all violate that moral law.
Romans 3:10–12 10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”
This is the most obvious truth in the universe, but in our attempts to justify ourselves, we simply deceive ourselves into believing that we are good people. This self-deception, of course, may feel good for a time but in the long run only causes more bondage and more despair. Only by genuine self-examination, repentance and confession can we face the facts and come face to face with our sinful nature. Only then can we find the truth of the irresistible gospel in God’s response to our sin.
God’s response to our violations of the moral law provides the core of the gospel. And this story is so, so good!
Ephesians 2:1–10 1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
God in his grace and mercy, because he loved us, has redeemed his people from their sin and the consequences of their sin (disintegration of the soul and ultimately death). The alternatives of self-righteousness and hedonism only lead to more bondage to sin and law. God has given his people freedom and rest. This is a free gift to be received by faith. We don’t earn it. We can’t lose it. It’s God who redeems and justifies. What a beautiful truth that brings indescribable comfort.
Reflection
Thank God for the gospel of salvation. Praise him for his grace, mercy and love in saving you in spite of your sin. God has been so loving, gracious and kind in saving us. It is only right for us to thank and praise him.