Character Issues

Romans 3:9-31

Okay, so for a football fan, this is the 'dry' season. Between the draft in the spring, and the start of training camp there's not much. So, I haven't paid much attention to any of the news, except the following. The headline grabbed my attention, and smile: "Late Picks Pass Character Checks". The article went on to describe how one professional team eliminated from their draft consideration over 90 players due to mars on their character record. However, late in the draft they did take a chance on a couple players with some checkeredness (there's a great word!) in their past. The quoted team official spun the move, saying that the team had looked into the background of these players and was "comfortable" with them despite their "character issues".

And that's what brought the knowing smile. NFL coaches, along with a whole slew of self-justifying-by-comparison humanity, must not have read Romans 3, and not know the full truth of the matter: we ALL have character issues.

No one is righteous -- not even one.
No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God.
All have turned away; all have become useless.
No one does good, not even a single one...

Haven't you come to love the plainspoken truth of this translation we are reading?! And yet, our natural self at the same time hates its plain and simple assertions.

But unless we reckon with the character issue flaw in all of us unavoidably assessed in vv. 10-18, we will never own the wonder of grace equally presented in awestruck simplicity in vv. 20-22:

For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law... We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

"Jesus, you know my every character issue, and yet You choose me. I am undone. And so grateful. Help me only to believe."

PPaul