The trafficking of more than 40 million enslaved people globally. Reports of horrific war crimes taking place in Eastern Europe. The rise of mass shootings. Hate crimes. Child abuse. Domestic violence. Global cyber-attacks. Identity theft.
When we read the latest news headlines, we are hit with the reality of evil in our world today. The apostle Paul’s words ring true, “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10).
Not even one. What a sobering truth! Often we look at the current state of the world with a sense of disillusionment and disappointment. We wonder how people could behave so wickedly and selfishly. We even tell ourselves that we would never do the horrible things we read about in our news feeds or behave like that one person we heard about from so and so.
It’s easy to see sin’s influence over our world, but what about over ourselves? We can conveniently convince ourselves that we are good people simply because we aren’t bad. Sure, we aren’t perfect, but there are plenty of people who do far worse. Our little white lies, our short tempers, our selfish ambitions, our vain conceits, our foolish pride, our dabbles in materialism and self-gratification, our need to be liked, or our dependency on entertainment or social media or alcohol or food to get through the day is not ideal, but it’s not that bad.
The Word of God exposes the holes in our self-righteous thinking. Scripture teaches us that no one does only good and never sins (Ecclesiastes 7:20). We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). When we read the laws and commandments of God given to us through the Bible, we learn right and wrong. Yes, but equally important, we are forced to grapple with the wrongs we commit through commission and omission. Turns out good enough is not good enough.
The Bible reveals sin in our lives but not to condemn us. Rather, Scripture shines a light on our need for Jesus (Galatians 3:22). It’s through faith in Him—and not our moral high ground—that we are liberated from the power of sin in our lives. When we confess our need for Jesus and believe in Him, we receive eternal salvation and freedom from the sins that would seek to imprison us.
As you reflect on today’s reading, be encouraged that when Scripture convicts us of sin in our lives, it’s not to shame us but rather to invite us to experience the saving grace of Jesus Christ afresh and anew. Today, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to examine your heart and unmask any sin. Choose to humbly confess and repent. Receive God’s mercy and grace made possible through Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross. Rely on His unfailing righteousness and not your own.
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51 thoughts on "No One Is Righteous"
So thankful he loves a wretch like me.
This is a beautiful passage ❤️
So many of us have experienced a man-made morality added to the law of God in an effort for us to prove that we are worthy of salvation and grace. The beautiful thing about grace is that it is unmerited. Any man-made morality put equal to or above God’s Word is idolatry.
Wow, so true! I was hit by the truth that conviction should not lead us to shame, as Satan most certainly loves, but instead to repentant freedom as the emphasis of scripture is the complete dependence on Christ and his redemptive work!! Praise God!!
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all I could think about today are the nonbelievers who think of themselves as better because of their morals. What a crazy delusion to think you are in control. What a crazy delusion to think you deserve anything for the good morals you hold. Lord, help me walk away from the delusion and into your love for those around me.
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Exam my heart Lord. Thank you for your forgiveness and grace.
This hits hard.
Hi! So the reason why most people think they are good people is because they compare themselves to others that are worse then themselves in their eyes. But when you tell them to not compare themselves with others but compare themselves to God, they cannot say they are without sin, because God is holy, holy, holy, and compared to His standards they are sinners. That explanation can help some people to understand their sinfulness.
Amen
Holy Spirit, help me to not use Christ’s righteousness as an excuse to sin. Also, help me to not rely fully on my own moral high ground for righteousness, while diminishing Christ’s sacrifice. Rather, help me to find the happy, holy medium between relying fully on Christ for my righteousness while living a life of holiness & obedience unto Him, empowered by the Spirit.
I so needed this study. I have been wrestling with so many sins of the heart: self-righteousness, judgement, jealousy, impatience etc. i need Jesus! Thank you Lord for showing me how much I need you.
Sometimes I get overwhelmed by the comments. Some I understand and others confuse me.
“My thoughts are not your thoughts. My ways are not your ways.”
“Only God knows best.”
“God calls us to prophesy against things we don’t want to happen in our lives”
Has God called us all to be prophets and kings/queens? Or did He give specific instructions to Ezekiel and David/Esther? Do we pray for God’s will to be done or confront whatever/whomever WE deem unacceptable in our lives? Are we to attack what we fear or are we to shine a light and love so others will come to know God and learn about salvation?
There are too many stone throwers in our world and I pray for those on both sides. Relationship with God and others seems to be what is important to God. Until I understand more fully what is expected of me, I want to be an image bearer of God’s love, grace, and mercy.
Yes this is why I need Jesus. This is why I need the cross
I am asking for prayers for my son and daughter in law. They have been married for two years and now are having marital problems. Pray that God will convict and bring healing in this situation. Thank you!
Also please pray for my daughter and her boyfriend. They are also having problems right now.
Heidi – I know the conversation you have with your LADY will be a difficult one. Some day, she will thank you for your stand. I’ll be praying for the words to speak and the hugs to show her just how much you love her.
So thankful for reading over everyone’s comments and prayers (albeit a day late!). You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Encouraged by the freedom found in re-realizing that the outcomes of my life are not my responsibility. How much more can God accomplish through me if I lay down my will and surrender my throne of self to Him? Thankful also that God wants to transform our hearts so that our lives are a natural overflow of His character rather than me exerting my will over my life. The Gospel is so remarkable! If anyone is interested, there is an incredible depiction of the truth of the Gospel in a video on YouTube by Ellerslie Discipleship Training called “Eric Ludy – The Gospel” – I have returned to this as a source of encouragement many many times and hope it will be encouraging to you as well.
No one is Righteous. What a great reminder and wonderful devotion today. I have had many conversations with people who feel they are “safe” because they don’t do really bad things. We judge our goodness based on how much better we are doing in the World. The truth is we ALL have sin! I cannot judge anyone based on their type of sin, the type of sin does not matter in God’s eyes. It is up to each individual to realise that they have sin, and they cannot save themselves from the penalty for sin. Jesus is the only one who can do this for us! Salvation is a free gift of eternal life! All that is required of us is to accept this free gift! To receive the gift we must recognise our need to be saved from sin, understand that Jesus died for our sin, and ask Jesus to forgive us our sin! Simple! Let us not forget that salvation is for everyone! Let’s be the start of the change we want to see in the World!
Tina! PTL, I was concerned about you. Thankful to “see” you again and glean you insights.
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Correction: ** Luke 10:19 ** : I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
@LAURA: I am so sorry that you have experienced sin from different facets. Truly sin destroys like no others. No one should ever flirt with sin. I will be praying for the healing of your heart, and for godly/righteous order to return to your house. I like to encourage you to keep on fighting through prayers for your husband and your daughter (which I will be praying alongside with you for complete victory- for God’s Glory). Praise God that your husband has repented, and you received him back. One of the powerful weapons in warfare I learnt is our mouth. God calls us to prophesy against things we don’t want to happen in our lives, back with the children of Israel, and to us now, modern day Christians, same tactics will yield same victory (Ezekiel 11:4, Therefore prophesy against them, prophesy, son of man). And when we declare deliverance with our mouth, believing with our heart, based on the authority of God’s word, it is established for us (“Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee”(Job 22:28 KJV). So when we see evil things happening in our family/ neighborhood/state/nation, we don’t need to sit idly by in fear, we can speak up and intercede, and prophesy AGAISNT those evil/shootings/killings/homosexuality/ mental illness, etc, forbid them to come near our home, our neighborhood, forbid them to touch our children/grandchildren, and our future descendants. I’d like to encourage you, in prayers, to STRONGLY prophesy against the spirit of homosexuality (& its stronghold over your daughter), prophesy against sexual perversion and immorality, conflicts, name calling, accusations, blindness, stubbornness, whatever else (and be specific, write down if you must)… command these demonic assignments to be uprooted 100% from your family & future generations in your family line and be cast away, and never to come back by the power of the Holy Spirit. Command every demonic chains and bondages that are holding your daughter, husband, (whoever else)…command them to be loosed in the Name of Jesus (Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven -Matthew 18:18). Have faith that your words when speaking in Jesus’ Name have power and authority to rid evils from your territory(“ I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you”- Luke 10:9). I have seen the spirit of homosexuality cast out from teenagers –which causes them gender confusion, and even temptations for them to experiment (I followed the deliverance ministry called “The Supernatural Life- Daniel Adams”, if you search on Youtube, you can see the wonderful work of this ministry that has brought freedom to many people, and glory to God’s Name). Deliverance is a multi-layer process. Don’t give up. There is no sin too powerful for the Lord to deliver. And the heart of man (your daughter) God can control/change (The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Proverbs 21:1). Besides, God honors your prayers & the prayers of many of us she’s that will be lifted up on your behalf. May God’s grace and peace be with you! Bless your heart!❤️
“Let God be true and every man a liar” (Romans 3:4). This verse alone has been the source of direction and encouragement for me, when I am alone and drifted in the vast ocean of confusion, of pressuring, losing my compass, losing my understanding. When growing up, my parents were the source of truth, wisdom and protection in my life. I looked up to them and admired them with all my heart. UNTIL God came in. He took me out of my parents’ house to a land I knew nothing about (the true north “cold” and free lol ). Then I found out, at some point through the Bible and observation, that my parents were liars and deceived (despite their good intentions) – but good without GOD is not good! The renewing of my mind revealed such a picture of ugliness and lawlessness to what I thought was the family good standard/benchmark. It changes everything. Only God knows best, and it hurts to find this out. My mom no longer knows best, she has been sorely deceived ( and has gone astray). And now I become the mother of 3, the guardian on earth of 3 children. Then I learnt, the vigilant heart of a praying mother is VERY DANGEROUS for the devil. I LOVE LOVE the testimony of TERESA DONLEY about her grandma, praying for her youngest lost son, and he finally came to the Lord after she passed away (such faith!!!). Enmity was put between us WOMEN and the devil. So let us surrender, to enter His rest, and pursue God’s plans for us and our children, trusting He will deliver what He promises. After all, let God be true.
Be blessed dear sisters.
God is all around with many blessings! Today this song came on my list, “My God is Still the Same” .
Oh how this song reminded me of our readings this week!
God is still the same! That we can count on!
Much love to each of you!!
When we confess our need for Jesus and believe in Him, we receive eternal salvation and freedom from the sins that would seek to imprison us.
Good is not good enough! Thanks to the grace of Jesus we can be forgiven.
HEIDI- Praying for your talk with your precious daughter. Is she going to be able to try out for the gymnastics that she missed earlier; been praying about that, too.
HEIDI – continued prayers for your niece. It sounds like she is making some good decisions.
I’m doing a Bible study with a friend called, “Leveling Up”. The question today was, “Have you considered what it’s like to be on the other side of you in your personal and professional life?” Then the verse, “There is no one righteous, not even one” appeared before me. Lots of thought provoking reading happening today. We tend to think we are better than we are. It made me think of how do I appear to my husband. Am I argumentative or agreeable, patient or impatient, kind or demanding. If I could just pause before I speak and remember the fruits of the spirit, I think I might respond to others differently.
God please fill me with the Holy Spirit. Convict me of my sins. Teach me to live by your Word. Help me to love others as you would have me love them.
TINA – AMEN
SHARON/JERSEY- praying for your sister; any update on where she will stay after today?
AIMEE ROGERS- yay yay yay! What great news so far… praying her little boy is placed in your care as well!
KELLY- I will speak with her about what support she may be willing to participate in. I agree – I think it’s her best move to find an organization that specializes with her current and soon-to-be needs in all of this, esp if she ends up doing it without the dad around…
SARAH D- when do you start?? I may have missed it – do you start the new job on Monday? “party-hats blow-horns confetti!!!!”
THANK YOU for your prayers for my niece… all I can say right now is to please keep them coming… I know they make a difference in her thinking – I’ve seen it more than a few times. :)
❤️PRAYER PLEASE❤️ for my little Lady (11 years) would be welcomed as well. She has been excited about going to middle school in August and has been expecting to go to our public school that her elementary school feeds into. We toured it and there are things we really like about it. The issue is the girls she has been around for the last 5 grades are just moving into directions that are NOT healthy for her. But because they are the only “friends” she’s known, she doesn’t see the dangers. And using the word “friend” to describe these girls is very generous of me. Once 4th grade was rounding out, these girls started choosing their path, so to speak, of being exclusive, gossipy, demeaning…. they all do it to one another and my poor Lady thinks this is normal because it’s all she knows. Anyway, we have very prayerfully decided that she is going to a small Christian school for her middle school years in order to help shape her, build her up, and give her a better foundation of what it is to be a friend that represents Christ. I’M NOT AN IDIOT. I am very aware that middle school is tough everywhere and that the girls she will engage with at the new school will have their own “girl-issues” that we tend to see so prevalent at this age, but having Christian adults around her/them helping guide is key. The point of my ramble: SHE DOESN’T KNOW. And she is going to be upset when she hears. She knew it was a possibility to go there, she toured it, did a shadow-day, etc, but her heart has been set on going to the other school with all of her “friends”. PRAYING FOR: an open heart, a desire to see the good in this decision, peace in the transition, gratitude for a new opportunity. With her her anxiety disorder, I know the transition will naturally be tough so I have gotten the info of a few moms of girls in her new class to set up a couple hang-outs to help her have familiar faces on the first day. Uhg middle school is hard… Praying God’s enormous grace over this situation in her heart… I’ll be breaking the news to her this weekend…
“Today, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to examine your heart and unmask any sin.” Holy Spirit where do I begin.
Sharon Jersey Girl welcome to RI! Sisters have a blest weekend. Tina so good to see you back.
Once again this devotional reminds me of the need to walk humbly before God!
Having trouble with the app this morning. Mostly just wanted to say that practicing self examination under the guidance of 2 Corinthians has been helpful to me. But I needed to hear Galatian 3:22 that the goal to self examination is to make me more aware of how much I need Jesus!
For a long time now the instructions of 2 Corinthians 13:5 to examine myself has been important to me. I try to be honest with myself in a wide variety of situations and thoughts. It’s been a helpful
Good morning ladies!!
Well it is my last day at my job. Reflecting on how God used this time to strengthen me and teach me more about himself. It was so hard, but he really did use it. He is faithful!! He is good even in the suffering, or when he doesn’t immediately answer my prayers the way I want him to. Excited for what is next. Thank you all for your prayers for me during this time, I appreciate them so much!!
“Good is not good enough.” Really powerful and convicting devotional today! May I humble myself before God and repent where I’ve fallen short.
@Laura- I remember you sharing this with all of us. I continue to pray God bless your faithfulness and reveal Himself to your daughter as she sees the ways of this world leave her wanting, not satisfied. I think a lot of us can speak from experience, that we have tasted this world’s counterfeit feasts and have been left empty. Only Jesus can satisfy and I pray your daughter comes to see that!
@Aimee Rogers- praise God for this first victory! Thank you for sharing the result! May God continue to give your family wisdom as you take on these new legal responsibilities.
@Sharon, Jersey Girl- continuing to believe God to give your sister wisdom as she follows Him. I think of Matthew 6:33- that if she is seeking Him first, everything she needs will be provided… Her life is more precious than sparrows. God bless her faith!
@Heidi- glad to hear your niece is making changes slowly and doing her best to think of the future. May God bless her and continue to give her wisdom and grace!
@Lynne from Alabama – thinking of you and Jack this morning. Hope you are well and surrounded by good community <3
Romans 3:20 NKJV – "Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Such good Scripture pairings this morning to include Galatians 3:22 in response to this verse. I think of that Scripture "No flesh shall glory in His sight" (1 Corinthians 1:29)
There is no one righteous, not even one. Roman’s 3:10. There is certainly no one righteous on earth who does good and never sins. Ecclesiastes 7:20. What a reminder to me today- you are not perfect only Christ is/was perfect! Be like Jesus!!! Lord keep me rooted in Your word, mold my heart to chase after You!! Amen!
@MERCY Thank you for your thoughtful and Biblical response yesterday on the topic of homosexuality. We as a family are fractured right now over this sin in our daughter’s life and it breaks my heart every single day. We have stood up for Biblical truth and have shown love by speaking that truth to our daughter and her trans partner. The problem with showing love in truth is that if the sinner does not see that what they are doing is sin, then they will call you a hater. Which is where we are with our daughter. And most people that she surrounds herself with do not see it as a sin either, or as anything but beautiful – love – and so we are labeled as haters. When someone didn’t understand our stance, I tried to explain it this way: my husband had an affair several years ago. Fortunately, he repented of that sin and turned away from it and came back to his wife and family and we worked hard to rebuild our marriage and our life together. But, if he had not turned away, and instead had insisted that what he was doing was not wrong, and had brought this person to family gatherings and insisted that she be part of our family and they this relationship be accepted by everyone in the family because this is what he felt and needed, then the family would have said no. They would have refused to accept it. Why do we treat homosexuality any differently? The Bible is very clear on both of these sins, sexual sin in adultery, and sexual sin in homosexuality. Sorry to be on such a soapbox, but this is near and dear to my heart and something that I pray about every day.
There is none righteous. How dare I ever think I am better or my holy than anyone else! Who am I to compare? The only comparing I should do is with Christ, alone – and how short I fall! It is so easy to get caught up on the roller coaster of self righteousness, and how I hate when I do. I am forever grateful that God, my God, is such a loving, merciful, forgiving God. He is a Father who cares, and wants to bless us with good. To Him be the glory! Search me oh God. Know my thoughts. Lead me in Your way. (Psalm 139:23,24)
I am in RI and this morning helping my sister move her things into storage – continued prayers that God will give her a permanent place to live (and her 3 cats & chickens).
Tomorrow we have a family reunion with my husbands family – prayers for opportunity to share Christ with them.
Have a blessed Friday!
Thank you jesus!
Galatians 3:22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin’s power, so that the promise might be given on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ to those who believe.
**I love this!! God-breathed scripture imprisons EVERYTHING under sins power!! Nothing happens without God’s permission, and nothing happens without His faithfulness!! How AWE-SOME is that?!! Thank You for this reminder Lord! I needed it!!
Ecclesiastes 7:20 There is certainly no one righteous on the earth who does good and never sins.
**I think it’s important to note that this is meant as a reminder, exhortation and encouragement, not as an excuse!!
Romans 3:10-11 as it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one. 11 There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.
Romans 3:18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
**What struck me in these verses is the power of self and the lack of focus on God. It is easier and much more pleasant to focus on and fulfill our self needs, rather than to acknowledge, submit to God, and walk in His Way. One is SEEMINGLY painless, and the other requires sacrifice and is very uncomfortable. Jesus taught that it’s ALL about God!! He was the epitome of pushing Himself to the side (uncomfortable for the flesh) and putting God first (awesome for the Spirit) regardless of the consequences!! We need to choose to have God as our number one!! If we do not choose to do this, then there is no righteousness, no understanding, no depth, no reverence, and no holy fear, which is scary to think about!! ..I am reminded of a line from the Prince of Egypt movie.. “I did not see because I did not wish to see.” …Wow!! That’s convicting!! Lord forgive us and help us to see, seek, and choose You, for we are NOTHING with You God!! Thank You Father, Amen.
A Blessed and faith-filled day to all you Sisters!! ❤️
AIMEE ROGERS— Thanking God for this first step of the custody trial. I pray that mom continues to thrive in your care, and that a decision with the son will soon follow.
My Bible study has the following commentary on today’s Scripture that I feel is the bottom line of today’s Romans reading, and aligns with the devotional today— “No one will be declared righteous by doing what God requires in the Law. This is confirmed by the fact that the Law was not given to justify sinner but to expose sin [and make us turn to Jesus and search for His saving grace].
So many times I fall into that “better than_____” mentality to give myself permission to be self-righteous. Oh, Lord, help me to remember that I can only be righteous IN CHRIST.
TINA – amen
AMIEE ROGERS – rejoicing in God’s kindness in the custody trial. May the young lady flurish in your care.
HEIDI – I’m sorry you were not responded to. Did the website show any groups in your niece’s area? Not trying to be pushy about them, there are other ministries. Usually a local pregnancy resource center will offer classes and support. Sometimes by taking the classes the mama can earn “baby bucks” to buy baby items from the center’s store. We had one mama in our last group who was able to get her entire nursery supplied through the prc’s programs.
NICOLE SMITHEE! HELLO!
Thank you for this devotion today.., so very thought changing…
I had a thought.. when the Holy Spirit convicts us or points out sin in our lives, through the Bible, it doesn’t do it aloud for all to hear, but gently and privately in our hearts. No-one need know, just a loving ‘nudge’ by the Spirit to get us on the right path as Children of the Most High God..
I am in awe..
Thank you Lord God for the gift of the Holy Spirit, this beautiful gift that guides and directs us each day to live in the image we are intended to resemble.. You Lord God..
Prayerfully, thanking you for the gift of the gentle ‘nudge’ via the Good book and the Holy Spirit Lord God.. thank you for caring and loving us as you do.. Thank you Lord God. Thank you..
AMEN..
Much love being sent across the pond to you all dear SRT sisters..❤️❤️❤️