We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God freely and graciously declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held ba ck and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. Romans 3:22-26
All people are made for good. Yes, there is a lot of evil in the world, and many people who would do harm make up a part of it. However if we are all made in the image of our creator, we are inherently not bad. Nonbelievers often think we as Christians see ourselves as good and others as evil. The argument sounds something like, “You think you are better than others,” or, “I can never live to the standard of your God.” I know this because just over a decade ago, I was one of those in that crowd. Even more ironic, I am now one who hears it not just from nonbelievers but also believers. Why? Is it because we pray and display our faith openly? Is it that we choose to believe in something that others cannot understand? Actually, I believe the only question that is relevant to the discussion is what is the difference between them and us? The answer is simple. Just God.
Our relationships with others both Christian and non-Christian must start with the fundamental truth that we all fall short of God’s glory. Today’s verses are maybe the most important to our relationships with others because it makes a bold statement. The only difference between worldly people and followers of God is our faith. We are no better nor worse. We are just as unworthy of God’s grace as anyone else. Our doing good is no better than anyone who does less than us. So why make the effort to serve Him? Why invest in God by which we stand to gain nothing from the world? Quite simply, it is because we feel true grace through Jesus Christ. The selfless act by Jesus covered all sins, and our actions are fruits of the Spirit showing how God declares us “to be right in His sight.” We are reborn through Christ, and should others accept Christ into their hearts, they can feel the true grace of God as well.
We are from this world, but we are not of this world. Jesus Christ died on the cross for all sins; past, present, and future. Thus our lives have become opportunities to show the world what God can do for them. Let us commit to showing them the light of God such that no matter where they are in life, the God who saved us is indeed theirs as well. How can you see nonbelievers as future children of God? Will you lower yourself to lift someone else up to Christ? My prayer is that we recognize others may be separate from us but they can one day be with us through Christ. Amen.
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