What Do You Seek?
Romans 3:9-18
Paul deals with the issues that stemmed out of Jewish pride at the onset of this chapter then ends this paragraph with an exclamation point. God in His infinite wisdom and omniscience planned for the course of mankind. He knew that all of mankind would need a Savior and need to turn to him. So, He moves Paul to finish this paragraph in the fashion which he did.
It is easy to read the scripture and cast judgment upon the Jews but you better not. First, we fail God just as often if not more than any Israeli. Second, respecting people based on social, financial, ethnic or any other status is not good and not of God Acts 10:34, Rom. 2:11, Eph. 6:9. Proverbs 28 tells us that to show favoritism it is not good and James 2 even tells us that it is sin. We live in a world where favoritism is all around us. We are encouraged to show it and act in a way to receive it. This, however, is not of God. When Christ was on this earth, who did He reach out to? He reached out to the rich and the poor, the sick and the well, the prominent and outcasts. Who are you reaching out to?
God also tells us in Colossians and I Peter that all will stand before God and give an answer. We will all be judged according to God’s standards of perfection. How will you stand, in the blood of Christ?
Paul then tells us that none seek after God. Jeremiah 17 reminds us of the state of all our hearts, deceitful and desperately wicked. On our own, we seek only to please ourselves and promote our personal agendas. Such a selfish world and selfish leaders should not surprise us. This is why those of us whom Christ has, must lift Him up so he may grab others.
Then, Paul ends up warning us of the paths of the world. These ways are unprofitable, deceitful, poisonous, bitter, destructive, miserable, and peace less. They may appear to be successful in our physical eyes but that is only temporary. This period of life is only the beginning for what we face after death. Follow the world’s vises and you will receive your just reward. Follow God and you will receive life and life more abundant and eternal where it really matters.
Luke 16, Job 4