Romans 3:10–11
None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.
The heart of man is desperately wicked and deceitful above all things. It does everything it can to compare itself to anyone and anything other than God. We deceive ourselves by believing that compared to others, we are good and justified. Yet in doing so, we prove the word of God true, for our means of measurement is not ourselves, but God Himself.
If we were to truly seek God, we would see our depravity and desperate need for Him. Seeking God would give us an understanding of our sinfulness and the utter darkness of our souls. To seek God would cause us not only to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God but also cause us to realize that we are not like God and we deserve death.
Since the beginning of time, our hearts have desired to be like God and to be His equal. All of humanity has been tempted and failed before Him. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We deserve death, for there is no fear of God before our eyes apart from the work of the Holy Spirit.
But even in the light of this, God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He has loved us, sent His only Son into the world to pay the penalty for our sins before a holy, righteous, and just God. The Lord has provided a way that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to purify and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. So, seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon His name and He will answer.
Jeremiah 17:9, Genesis 3:5, Romans 3:23, Romans 3:18, Ephesians 2:4, 1 John 1:9, Isaiah 55:6
Father, You are holy and just, and there is no one who can stand before You. I confess the many times I think I’m a good person, and then I realize I feel this way because I am comparing myself against other sinners rather than looking to You. Forgive me and save me from my sin. Help me to know Christ as my King and my Savior. Soften my heart to adore You and to be more mindful of my sin that I may confess it and lay it at the foot of the cross. Make my heart to know Christ that I may glorify You all my days and to do Your will. In Christ’s name. Amen