Devotion #6: From Ungodly to Righteous
The world we live in today is something else. Have you ever watched the news and a story has made you drop your jaw in disbelief or disgust? Considering how much negativity is found in our world today, I am sure most of us have heard stories we cannot believe actually happened. It can be from across the world or even right in our own city.
I feel like there are two types of people today: people who watch the news on a daily basis, and those who stray from watching the news to avoid all the negativity and evil that is highlighted every day. Who can blame the latter? It can be depressing and upsetting to constantly hear of people acting in hatred and committing crimes or acts of violence.
However, what is even harder to grasp is the fact that these people, who are so engulfed in sinful mindsets and lifestyles, are also offered the possibility of becoming saved and redeemed through Jesus, just as we are.
Does that make all humans equal in the eyes of God, whether they are living righteously or not? What makes us different from those who are still living in sin, unwilling to change their ways? Here is the short answer: our belief in Jesus’ death and resurrection and in His sovereignty as our Lord.
In Romans chapter 5, the Apostle Paul shares that Christ died for the ungodly, and he goes on to share that someone would rarely dare to die for a righteous or good person. Yet, in verse 8, Paul reminds us that “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Christ surely did die a gruesome death on the cross for all sinners and ungodly people, and then He rose from the grave three days later, conquering sin and death once and for all. However, that does not mean that everyone on the planet automatically receives salvation and reconciliation through Jesus. We have to believe in who He is and what He did and accept Him as our Savior.
Our part in faith cannot stop there either. We are also called to live righteously for God, and the blessings we receive when we do this outweigh anything else this world can possibly offer to us.
In the proceeding verses of Romans chapter 5, Paul goes on to talk about the reconciliation we receive through Jesus, and uses the word “more” numerous times. He expresses the difference between the blessings God granted to us while we were still His enemies as compared to the blessings we are able receive from Him after being reconciled.
In verse 10, he shares, “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” The “life” that Paul refers to at the end of this verse is the ultimate blessing, which is everlasting life in unity and glory with the Father in Heaven, lasting for all of eternity. This blessing is only attainable once we are redeemed and restored, being viewed as righteous in the eyes of God.
It is painful to see all the hatred and sin within our world, and to be reminded of it over and over again. However, we have a hope in Jesus, the One who will cleanse the world of all sin and unrighteousness with His second coming. Until that happens, we know there is still time for the ungodly to find Jesus, to turn from their wicked ways, and to be restored and redeemed through His saving power and salvation.
Our task is to remain righteous and fully grounded in Christ despite what we see happening around us in the world today. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, Paul shares, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” As we are now reconciled and righteous by Jesus our Savior, the light of Christ is able to shine through us and reach those who are not. There is still time for the unsaved to become saved. So, let Jesus shine.