A Daily Devotional with Pastor Doug Crouse April 22, 2018 Not Guilty Scripture Reading – Romans 3:23 - 24 (NLT)

"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty of our sins." 

Remember when you were driving care free on that sunny day and suddenly you saw and heard the wailing of the police siren directly in your rear view mirror. Instantly you looked at the speedometer, then checked to see your seat belt was fastened, breathing a huge sigh of relief as the cruiser sped past you to catch the law breaker.

But there is no sigh of relief at all when we humans flawed as we are being born into this sinful world in comparison to the absolutely holy and perfect God of all creation. Today's text reminds us that we all fall short, though in our heart of hearts, most of us are all well aware of that truth. This is why Jesus prayed thrice asking if there was any other way, and then went willingly to the cross and became the One who bore the sins of the whole world.

Truly what a relief friends eternally that in God's courtroom we in Christ Jesus have heard and experienced the words: 'Not Guilty'. Not that any one of us deserved it at all, but how our Father has loved us so in His one and only Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The Bible calls this declaration of the guilty to be not guilty - justification. And I love the Sunday School definition of our standing before the Father in Christ Jesus and because of His blood as being: 'Just As If I Had Never Sinned'. Thank-You Father for justifying us in the precious blood of Your Son. Help us to walk each and every day worthy of our high and holy calling, as shining lights for all to see Jesus in and through us.

Prayer Father I can come freely once again into Your presence through the precious sacrifice of Jesus my Lord. May my life be a true reflection of my standing in Jesus as forgiven and cleansed I pray in His name. 

Memory Verse:  Psalm 25:4 – 5a NLT “Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me…”