Romans 3:9-27

^“9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; ¹⁰ As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: ¹¹ There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. ¹² They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. ¹³ Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: ¹⁴ Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: ¹⁵ Their feet are swift to shed blood: ¹⁶ Destruction and misery are in their ways: ¹⁷ And the way of peace have they not known: ¹⁸ There is no fear of God before their eyes. ¹⁹ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. ²⁰ Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. ²¹ But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; ²² Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: ²³ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; ²⁴ Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: ²⁵ Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; ²⁶ To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. ²⁷ Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.”

I was asked to officiate and provide an official Eulogy at a funeral where I did not know the deceased or the family prior. I have been asked to provide Pastoral service in these situations previously with some window to meet the family during planning of the funeral service, not the case this time. I want to acknowledge that I was highly uncomfortable as the funeral service developed, as the standard for a Christian Service was violated. Thank God, it was held at the Mortuary Chapel and not the “Sanctuary “of a church that I pastored. The language was not normal, the disposition of program participants was different, church etiquette did not exist, and yet there was need for Christ to be shared! My focus is always to share Christ with the living, and to do it in such a way that a response to know Him by just one will be realized. I do believe that a seed was planted through this experience.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that all of us have been nones as it relates to Christ. None of us sought God, but God sought us. With the hope of some responding to His desire to be in a relationship with us he offered an invitation. God spared no expense to make His desire known, and yet there is overwhelming rejection to accept. I ask that you carefully read the passage that is set before us in this devotional, read it and read it again. Consider where you were before Christ was made known to you, and may that reflection cause you to have patience with those not yet in relationship with God.

As we approach our time together in Longmont, Colorado this September, with a focus on NONES, Christ expectations is before us. His offer to justify us through His Faith, by simply accepting His invitation will prove most rewarding, through an effort to share Christ, and not condemn.

Prayer

God thank you for the invitation to change our address from condemnation to centeredness with Christ. Help those of us that are justified by your faith, reach other to share in this rich experience of knowing and walking with Christ. Amen! 

By Rev. Rodney Perry

Ministry and Mission Coach

American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains