We need Jesus.
There is only one way to heaven. Jesus. There’s only one way to know the truth. Jesus. There’s only One way to know the Father. Jesus.
Jesus is our righteousness. When He lives in our hearts, we are righteous through Him. Apart from Him, we can do nothing.
I think of this often as I’m growing older. When I was younger, I had a tendency toward arrogance and believing that I was somehow better than others. I’d think, “I don’t do those bad things, so I am better. I don’t have that problem, so I am better.” I’m not proud of this line of thinking, but I would wager that if each of us was truly honest, we’ve all felt this way at one time or another.
Then I would remember.
I’d remember everything God pulled me out of when I truly surrendered my life to Him. Man, I was a rotten and wretched person before I came under the full influence of God. I was sarcastic, hateful, jealous, promiscuous, prone to heavy drinking, bitter, and full of rage. I had done a whole lot. I know exactly what it means to have God pull you out of the muck and mire.
When I remember, suddenly I’m face to face with my absolute helplessness. I need Jesus. I can’t live without Him. I couldn’t be saved apart from Him. I never want to be separated from Him again. Oh, how I love Him.
We are not one of us righteous.
In the “church” we have designated acceptable sins and unacceptable sins. These are like social norms and people really seem to hate it when you point them out. Living at a higher standard can be costly.
We view certain sins as worse than others, even though scripture makes it clear that they aren’t. All sin is sin. There aren’t levels. It’s our earthly, fleshly minds that create levels so we can feel justified in our own actions. There are no levels of sin. Sin is sin.
We are not one of us righteous.
We see drug addicts and alcoholics, sex addicts, porn addicts, etc. and think, “Well, at least I don’t do that.”
But I propose that gossip, slander, lying, hatred, gluttony, and several other things are just as bad. Sin is sin.
We are not one of us righteous.
The whole point of everything is that we need Jesus. He saved us. He died on the cross, carrying our sin and shame…He did that work, not us. He made Himself like a man, to walk the earth and provide us with this bridge to heaven. He did it all. We only get to receive.
We are not one of us righteous. He is. Fortunately, when we receive Him, He becomes righteousness within us. He is always and forever the source of that righteousness in us. Lest any of us boast in ourselves.
I’m not trying to be a downer; I’m just putting out a reality check. We need Him. That never stops being true. The only way to walk in a righteous life is through Him.
I encourage you to take some time today to remember where you came from. What did salvation look like for you? Remember what He saved you from. Thank Him again. Return to the origin of your salvation and ask Him to forgive you for anytime you’ve arrogantly assumed you’re better than another. Look into His wild eyes and surrender again.
Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin. As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous- not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one. Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies. Snake venom drips from their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. They rush to commit murder. Destruction and misery always follow them. They don’t know where to find peace. They have no fear of God at all.” Romans 3:9-18
But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) Ephesians 2:4-5
365 Days in the Presence 