Devotion #1: Nada

When I graduated from high school, I went on a short-term mission trip. After the trip, I needed to find a job, but no one was hiring. I lived in an area where there were a lot of small factories that fed the Big Three. I only had two months before starting my college courses, so I went door to door. Like I said, no one was hiring. I received a negative response everywhere I went for four days. Finally, I happened to walk into a factory and ran into the owner. He looked at me and responded positively. He then went into the factory and fired a guy who had been slacking. 

Hearing a negative response can be discouraging. Imagine if someone told you, “No! Nay! Never! Nada! It is not happening! Nothing doing! On no account! By no means!” Hopefully, you will get the point. You would not bother to ask again. They made their point. 

In Romans chapter three, Paul addresses a common question about whether or not anyone can be good enough in themselves to get to Heaven. He includes everyone (both the religious Jew and the educated Greek) in his emphatic answer. Romans 3:10-12 records his clear response. He repeats himself nine times: 

Paul’s use of repetition makes his point. No one is righteous. We all need a Savior. We all need Jesus.  In verses 13 through 18, Paul uses eight descriptions to help picture our desperate need: 

Often, we go to Romans 3:23 to point out we all have sinned, but this is not an isolated incident. God makes it clear throughout Scripture that we have a need that we cannot redeem by ourselves. The only One who can save us is Jesus. 

Fortunately, when I was looking for a job, I got the message quickly that they were not hiring. I took action and went elsewhere. Spiritually, we need to realize that we cannot save ourselves. Stop focusing on yourself and look to Jesus.