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TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE

Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.

(184) 3 July : Proverbs 14v33 / Romans 3v21-5v11 / Psalm 42v6-11

BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."

Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. 

Wisdom to chew on

Understanding to grow in
So why is the gospel the most important and most precious thing? Because of what results from it. We've seen people could never attain God's righteous standard by obeying the law. Instead, the law displayed his righteous standard by provoking his justice at sin. But what today's passage teaches, is that in the gospel that righteous commitment to justice is now seen in Jesus having to satisfy it in his death. And by removing the need for punishment on the believer, this makes it possible for God to declare them to have fully met his righteous standard even though they haven't. This is justification. It is the heart of the gospel in which God's righteousness - his standard of perfection, is both made known in his justice (3v21) and received through faith (3v22). Through relying on Christ and not on moral or religious works, we can therefore be sure that the Lord credits us with righteousness instead of counting our sin against us (4v1-8). As you read note down the things that result.

Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.

Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.