19/10/2020

Mat 6 v 1-5; Acts 8 v 26-40; Ps 14 v 1-7; Gen 32 v 1 - 33 v 20
There is no one good

There is a belief that we are, for some reason, inherently good and I am still to be convinced that this is true.

David says “there is no one who does good, not even one.” (Ps 14 v 3) for it seems that all have turned aside and have become corrupt.

Jesus warns against “practicing our righteousness before men to be noticed by them“, while letting everyone know you are giving to the needy in order to be honored by them. The same applies to prayer and we are told to go into our inner room and pray to our Father who is in secret.

The Ethiopian official wasn’t saved because he was a good man. He came to faith by believing in Jesus as the Son of God and was baptized. If we are inherently good, Jesus wouldn’t have to come and die the most dreadful death. There would not be any need for repentance or a belief in salvation.

If Jacob was good, he didn’t have to seek his brother’s favour, but he knew that he had treated Esau wrongfully, while deceiving their father. Jesus instructs us to forgive those who trespass against us, in order to be forgiven our transgressions.

Do not be mislead to think that we can seek God’s favour simply by doing “good”. We have ALL sinned and fall short of the glory of God. It is only through faith in the risen Jesus that we can receive God’s forgiveness and undeserved mercy.

May His grace and favour be upon you today, seek Him wholeheartedly and above all, pray for wisdom, knowledge and understanding, so that you may walk in righteousness.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, Life Application Study Bible, unless stated otherwise. Copyright by “The Lockman Foundation“