God's Righteousness or Man's?

The latter half of Romans, Paul speaks a lot about the Jews and Gentiles. He is building a foundation of understanding for all who will hear that Jesus was sent for both the Jew and Gentile and He is the Messiah. There was a lot of man’s religion and man’s tradition wrapped up in Jewish Law. Sadly, as the church today we are often guilty of the same.

A prayer Pastor Sam has taught us is, “Lord, heal my mind, correct my thinking and direct my decisions.” This prayer was given to him by the Holy Spirit when He was deathly ill a few years ago. The purpose behind this prayer is for God to undo and take away the junk of man’s religion, theology and tradition and to be directed by the pure Word of God and the Holy Spirit.

This is a prayer I have adopted in my life as well and with the Lord’s help, He will give me understanding according to His Word and not man’s opinion. It can be far too easy to become “righteous” based on man’s righteousness. If our heart is to be led by God’s Word and Holy Spirit, then He will help to rid us of things that are of man and not God. I pray we become united in this desire and prayer and I know the Lord will guide us.

“What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith; but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works.” Romans 9:30-32a

December 30 Pastor Emily Christenson