Your Daily Devotional for May 15, 2006

May 15, 2006

 

The Proclamation of God

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

“To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”

 

Romans 3:26

 

Whenever God makes a proclamation, we should give our full attention. Notice again this proclamation that God gives through the gift of His Son, “To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”  At the beginning of this verse, God brings extra emphasis to His next statement by the words “To declare.” God is making a proclamation and wants to be sure that the reader listens closely. What is God proclaiming in this passage?

 

First of All, God declares His righteousness. 2 Corinthians 5:21 states, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” He declares that you and I can find righteousness in the person of Jesus Christ.

 

It doesn’t matter where you live, who you are, what your title is, or what you have done, all that matters is that you are in Christ. If you are then you have been justified by the blood of the Holy Lamb of God. We have been declared righteous by salvation.

 

Also, he declares that all boastings should be excluded. Religious people like to boast. We shouldn’t be boastful in ourselves, we should be boasting in Christ. After all, what did we do to merit salvation that we should boast in our self?

 

I read once of a swimmer who suddenly began to drown. The lifeguard on the beach swam far out into the ocean, and carried the drowning swimmer back to shore. What do you think the swimmer said to the lifeguard? Do you think he began saying, “Well, did you see how great I was swimming out there? Man, I sure pulled myself out of that one!” No! He was very grateful to the lifeguard for saving his life!

 

God didn’t just save us from death here on earth, but He saved us from an eternal hell! We wouldn’t think of that swimmer saying that to the lifeguard, so then why do we go about our day, boasting that we are religious or that we are better people. We may not outwardly boast in our salvation but we may inwardly think ourselves higher than others just because we are saved. God could have very easily just left us in the sea of life to die, but thankfully, He saved us from sin. Are you truly thankful for what the Lord has done for you or are you boasting in something that you didn’t do anything to receive?  

 

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