Do You Know What You Are?

“We shall never be clothed with the righteousness of Christ except we first know assuredly that we have no righteousness of our own.” John Calvin – Commentary on Romans

John Calvin was undoubtedly referring to Romans 3:23, in which Paul writes, “For all have sinned.” We can never get past our own sins unless we acknowledge that we are sinners. I know so many people who are offended when I pray and give thanks that God continually loves us who are sinners. Many of these people are regular church attendees, and it makes me ask what is being preached that makes you feel so righteous. We cannot save ourselves.

We will never be clothed in Christ’s glory until we realize who we truly are, what our essence is, and where it came from. Who we are has been handed down to us from the garden, where sin entered the world through Adam. It is like one who is addicted. You cannot help one with an addiction until they realize they have a disease and acknowledge they need help. We can never be saved until we realize we need a Savior. Sadly, many will never make this acknowledgment.

I am a sinner, and I weep because I am, but also weep because I know that even though I am a sinner, Christ died for me, and I have been washed clean with His blood that I might be called a child of God. There is no other love like the love of Christ.

John Calvin was correct, but of course, he was; he was John Calvin!

Peace and Grace!