"For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith." -- Romans 3:22-25

We are all on an even playing field. There is no distinction, for whether religious or not, rich or not, educated or not, powerful or not, every person on the face of the earth has sinned and has fallen short of God's expectations. We are left helpless to remedy the situation on our own, so we need a redeemer, someone who will pay the price for our transgressions. That person is Jesus.

Not only is Jesus our redeemer and sin payment, He is our justifier by grace as a gift. We can be free of sin and all our guilt by a simple step of faith. My friend, if you have lived your life as a religious person, trusting in your church work and benevolence to save you, think again. These chapters have put a death blow to such a belief. Forgiveness and salvation is a gift, and it can only be received by faith, not by works.

If you have never received this precious gift, then do so today! If you have experienced the wonderful grace of the Lord, then don't lose time telling others the good news. There are untold millions that are still untold!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” -- Romans 1:16-18

Following the closing thought from yesterday's devotional; is there any hope for those who are the enemies of God? Especially since the wrath of God still remains on rebellious unbelievers. The answer is yes, there is a power that will break through and bring everlasting change to all who believe. The righteousness of God is available by faith, and with it comes freedom from sin and hope for the future.

This passage should greatly encourage your heart my friend. Sharing your faith with those living under the wrath of God can be done with true expectation. We are proclaiming the gospel, which is the "POWER" of God for salvation. So be confident as you witness, that God will definitely use you to "...snatch others from the fire and save them". (Jude 2)

"The punishment of your iniquity, O daughter of Zion, is accomplished; he will keep you in exile no longer; but your iniquity, O daughter of Edom, he will punish; he will uncover your sins." -- Lamentations 4:22

Peter wrote in 1 Peter 4:17, "For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" This statement is not far from the above passage concerning the impending punishment reserved for the enemies of Judah. Both warnings are sobering for those outside the family of faith.

I find no pleasure in promised judgment, but when the Lord deals as firmly with the very apple of His eye, how will He deal with His enemies? While His hand is heavy on His own to bring about repentance and renewal, the day will come when the children of darkness will fall into the hands of the Living God... and that will be a fearful thing. (Hebrews 10:31)

The simple conclusion my friend is for us to pray for our lost community. Furthermore, let us witness with fervor to "...snatch others from the fire and save them". (Jude 23)

      

"For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men." -- Lamentations 3:31-33

When I found the need to discipline my sons in their younger years, I never enjoyed the process. After all was said and done, I was as much relieved; even more than they were. My love for them was a driving force to see them joyful again.

Jesus taught, in Matthew 7:11 "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" Therefore, if my love was a driving force for my son's happiness, how much more is our Heavenly Father's love for us? As Jeremiah said, "he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love".

While there may be occasions that require a corrective work from God my friend, "He does not willingly afflict". All that He does in our lives comes from a loving heart that desires the very best for His children. In response, consider the words of verse 40, "Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!"

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”” -- Lamentations 3:21-24

The picture that Jeremiah paints for us is more desolate than one can imagine. The days had become darker than ever and the hardships were too great to bear. Every prophetic warning had come to pass and the chastening hand of God was heavy upon His people. Yet, there was hope. There is always hope when we look to the Lord.

Even when sin has wreaked havoc in our lives and we've lost everything on earth that we valued, the Lord will be our portion forever. His love is steadfast; His mercies are never ending, coming to us fresh every morning; all because His faithfulness is great. In these wonderful truths we will always find hope.

Whatever the reason for your discouragement my friend, the Lord is your portion and in Him you may have an undying hope. No matter what may change around you, the Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever, and you can always depend on His faithfulness!

"She weeps bitterly in the night, with tears on her cheeks; among all her lovers she has none to comfort her; all her friends have dealt treacherously with her; they have become her enemies." -- Lamentations 1:2

When one trusts in someone other than the Lord there is bound to be disappointment. Jeremiah had warned his people in Jeremiah 17:5-6 "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come." In dark days, there will be no one to comfort.

It is a sad lesson to learn my friend, when you find yourself in the midst of pitfalls from rebellion and your bedfellows are all gone. What's worse is when those who were party companions become accusers that afflict you at every turn.

Make the right choice every day and trust in the Lord and you will be "like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:8)

"For because of the anger of the LORD things came to the point in Jerusalem and Judah that he cast them out from his presence. And Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon." -- Jeremiah 52:3

From the earliest of time men have understood the sorrow and great tragedy of being cast form the Lord's presence. Cain spoke of this in Genesis 4:13-14 with the words, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden." There is no greater devastation than to live apart from the Lord's presence.
The unbeliever may not fully comprehend the loss, but when a believer lives in rebellion and suffers the loss of close fellowship with God, there is an emptiness that seems to crush the spirit irreparably. David cried out in Psalm 51:11 "Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me." He knew how great the loss would be from spiritual rebellion and grieving of the Holy Spirit by unrepentant sin.

Treasure your walk with God my friend and never jeopardize the closeness of the Lord by a hard and selfish heart. Join David in Psalm 63:1, "O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water."