The scripture for today, July 20, is Ecclesiastes 7:20 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:
“There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins.”
Many people believe if we don’t murder or steal, and if we help people poorer than ourselves, and aren’t mean to our family, God will have no choice but to let us into heaven. But it only takes one sin to be a sinner.
God ~ who is Perfect Goodness ~ cannot dwell with sin. But mankind has never figured out a way to be perfectly good. Remember, the cost of sin is death (Romans 6:23). So in Old Testament days, God allowed people to kill perfect animals as a substitute for paying the cost of our sins ~ temporarily.
Then Jesus came. He became that perfectly good person (Hebrews 4:15) ~ that perfect Lamb of God (John 1:29). Then he died in our place to pay the cost of our sins ~ permanently. Now all he asks is that we love him, thank him, worship him, follow his examples and his commands (there aren’t many). Then, God the Father will consider us perfect too. Then we will be accepted into heaven.
DISCUSSION QUESTION: Acts 2:38 says to be baptized for the forgiveness of our sins, not because our sins have already been forgiven, but so they will be. It is no more water salvation than the cross was wood salvation. Have you been baptized for the forgiveness of your sins? Why?
“For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do ~ this I keep on doing.”
“Then another king, who knew nothing about Joseph, became ruler of Egypt.”
“The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut him in.”
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
“When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint, even then you frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions, so that I prefer strangling and death, ra
“If you, then, though you are ‘evil’, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
“My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.”