As a Christian I cherish the hymns.  I have many favorites, both old and new that are a blessing to me.  In those times when I am alone with God I often sing “Amazing Grace”, “Rock of Ages”, or “Jesus Paid it All”.  Scriptures also come to my mind and I meditate on those to much benefit to my soul.  I think it was Martin Luther that said that we should preach the gospel to ourselves everyday because we forget the gospel every day.  It is sad to think this might be true, but preaching the gospel to ourselves will do us no harm and I think will do us great good.  In Romans 3:19-26 is a good passage to review and to aid us in preaching the gospel to ourselves.

I think that we should talk to ourselves in the manner that we would talk to an unbeliever.   Let’s look at Romans 3:19-20.  “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. 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.”  I will tell myself what I would tell someone that I am sharing the gospel.  I would say to myself, “Self, you can do nothing to save yourself.  Your good deeds won’t help, because you know you aren’t good enough.  Obeying God’s law is demanded, but only proves you guilty and aware of your sin.”  I think I would at this point literally shut my mouth, repent, and confess my sins, because that is what the Law is for.

I would read another section of Romans 3.  I would say to myself, “But God did through Jesus what I cannot do for myself.”  Consider with me verses 21-24.  Look at some of the words that are used: righteousness, faith, believe, redemption.  Whose righteousness is Paul talking about?  It is God’s righteousness.  God declares His righteousness to redeem us through Jesus.  We are not saved by what we do, but by what Jesus did and our faith in Him.  When we trust in Jesus we are “…justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”  You see why I sing: “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe, sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”  I owe the debt, but Jesus paid my debt by dying in my place on the cross.  Through the shedding of His blood, I have been redeemed.

Reading the remainder of our passage: “(Christ Jesus) 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; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” (Romans 3:25-26).  Some would begin to accuse God of not being fair, but I can’t.  I am the object of God’s grace.  I have looked to Christ alone to save me.  And how did Jesus save me?  He, the Lamb of God, willingly shed His blood to wash away my sin.  “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.  What can make me whole again?  Nothing but the blood of Jesus?  O Precious is the flow that makes me white as snow.  No other fount I know.  Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”  Do I get any credit?  Do I earn anything that God has done for me through Jesus?  Nothing.  I have nothing to boast of.  I am just a sinner saved by grace.

This puts an end to boasting, bragging on our works and goodness.  Through Christ alone God gets the glory.  Have you tried to rob God of His glory?  Have you tried to claim something for yourself?  Are you resting on your goodness, your baptism, your church membership?  Are you like that wicked self-righteous Pharisee who said, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.” (Luke 18:11-12).  Cast all that away as rubbish, repenting of your sins – self-righteousness is also sin – and look to Christ alone in faith.  Then daily preach the gospel to yourself as well as to others to the glory of God in Christ Jesus.

If you have any questions, we invite you to visit with us this Sunday.   Worship at 10:50 A.M.  We are located at 711 West Washington Ave.  Check our sermon videos on Youtube @ricksmith2541.  Send comments and prayer requests to prayerlinecmbc@gmail.com.