A man by the name of George Gordon Liddy was the mastermind behind the first break-in of the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate building in 1972. Because of his role in this, Liddy served 4 ½ years in prison. Once he was released from prison, he made the following statement:
"I have found within myself all I need and all I ever shall need. I am a man of great faith, but my faith is in George Gordon Liddy. I have never failed me."
As Paul was writing the book of Romans, he was trying to get his listeners to understand that both Jew and Gentile have sinned (Ch. 1-3), that they could not keep the law adequately to be considered righteous (Ch. 7), and without God, they were lost in sin (3:21-23). Therefore, they had nothing to boast about in themselves (3:27; 4:2; 5:2, 3, 11; 11:18). They had not done, and could not do, anything that could earn their salvation. They could only be saved because of God's wonderful kindness and grace.
George Liddy may believe that he can find everything he needs within himself and that he has never failed himself. But there is at least one area he has already failed: Providing his OWN Salvation!
George Liddy simply cannot save himself spiritually. Nor can we...
Salvation is NOT something that we EARN! If we received what we earned, we would all receive DEATH (Romans 6:23). Let's make sure we keep our arrogance in check. We CANNOT save ourselves. We all desperately need God's help. Let's always remember the humbling truth that we simply cannot do enough or be good enough to deserve salvation from God, but that out of His goodness and grace, He has blessed those who believe Him and follow His commands. *
"But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:4-5).
Because of His love and mercy, God sent Jesus into the WORLD and to the CROSS to die for our sins so that we may have salvation (Ephesians 1:7).
God has promised to save those who will: place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (2 Peter 3:9), confess Christ before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).
When it comes to your salvation, don't trust YOURSELF! Place your trust in CHRIST through your faithful obedience.
Won't YOU?
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