Sunday February 4, 2024

As we begin our journey through this NEW YEAR 2024 living in God's daily NEW MERCIES, I invite you to wander with me in pictures through one of Cartagena, Colombia's most fascinating neighborhoods: Getsemaní. Here, colorful Magdalena Street.

NEW YEAR, NEW MERCIES: DAY 5 

The fact is that sin is a bigger disaster than we think it is and grace is more amazing than we seem to be able to grasp that it is. No one who really understands what Scripture has to say about the comprehensive, every-aspect-of-your-personhood altering nature of sin would ever think that anyone could muster enough motivation and strength to rise to God’s standard of perfection. The thought that any fallen human being would be able to perform his or her way into acceptance with God has to be the most insane of all delusions... 

This is why the reality check of Romans 3:20 is so important. Paul writes: "For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight."... Sin is too big. God’s bar is too high. It is beyond the reach of every human being who has ever taken his or her first breath. 

This is why God, in love, sent his Son: “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) You see, there was and is no other way. There is only one portal to acceptance with God—the righteousness of Christ. His righteousness is given over to our account; sinners are welcomed into the presence of a holy God based on the perfect obedience of another. Christ is our hope... This is what grace does! 

Thank You God, that Your acceptance of me is not based on my constantly failing obedience and righteousness, but on the perfect obedience and righteousness of Christ Jesus.