for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. Hebrews 7:19
Trying to be good enough is the goal of most people. They want to be seen as a good person and be able to earn credits in life. People will try to follow the law and then brag about it and cut others down for not following the law. In the process everyone fails to follow the law perfectly. As that occurs many will lose hope of being good enough.
While talking about the need for a new priesthood, the author of Hebrews points out that the law of Moses did not make anyone perfect, but that there has come a better hope which can give the person the ability to draw near to God.
Everywhere one looks there are some people who are the do-gooders. They always appear to be doing what is right, following the rules. People who live that way are pushing to look good so that they can feel good about themselves. When they fail at following the rules, they crumble and feel horrible and worthless.
Following the rules helps a person do what is right, but it cannot make right what was done wrong. Many in the church are the rule followers, but their heart is not with God. They really have no hope, because they are doing it all themselves.
Instead of trying to be good enough, people need to put their hope in what Jesus did. He is able to remove all sin and change the person’s heart and mind, which following the rules cannot do. This allows one to be brought near to God, having a hope greater than obeying a few rules will ever provide.
Obeying the rules may feel like a great accomplishment to you and may make you look like a good person. While that is good, the obeying the rules will never remove your sin or give you true life. It will be a constant struggle to attain what it cannot give. Put your trust and hope in what Jesus did on the cross for you. Become the new creation, forgiven in Christ Jesus, that He has made you to be. Know the better hope that you can have in Him that the law can never give.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know the hope you can have in Jesus; that God will help you to not rely upon the law; and that God will change you from the inside out, making you a new creation in Christ Jesus.
Photo by Faris Mohammed on Unsplash
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