No One is Righteous

⁹ What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. ¹⁰ As it is written:
"There is no one righteous, not even one; (Romans 3:9-10)

Have you ever come across a Christian who gave an arrogance of being righteous? The type that judges a person based on their past? If you don’t know anyone, then maybe I’m talking to you. I have been guilty of doing this before.

Paul makes it clear in Romans 3:10 that there is no one that is righteous. Merriam-Webster defines righteous as “free from guilt or sin”. It bothers me when I see Christians attempting to spread God’s word in arrogance and condemnation. As if they have never sinned or made mistakes. While I do not condone sin, I do believe what God’s word says in Gal. 6:1.

Sometimes, we can get so passionate about God’s word on issues of abortion, homosexuality, and adultery (just to name a few) that we loose sight of the true purpose of evangelism. It is not our place as Christians to “condemn the sinner”. Our calling is to empower the nonbeliever through God’s word. We must remember to give encouraging words.

Am I asking Christians to “water down the truth”? By no means! But I am saying to consider the instructions from your Father. If it doesn’t have love, then it can’t be of God. Screaming phrases like “abortionists are going to hell” and “gays are going to hell” are not words of encouragement. Although the repeated act of giving into the temptation without repentance of sin will lead to this end, we as believers do not have the authority to condemn. Besides, most nonbelievers know that what they are doing is wrong. They are not hungry for condemnation from you. They are hungry for direction…a way to escape the power of sin through Christ Jesus.

As believers, we must remember to stay humble whenever we are spreading God’s word. We can not be arrogant and boastful. Christians are charged to spread God’s word in love. (Gal. 6:1) Besides, how does condemning someone help spread God’s word. Nonbelievers need instructions. And we must be willing to give the instructions that will lead to a conviction in love.

Think about the methods you use to spread God’s word. The next time you attempt to evangelize, ask yourself “Is this in love?” or “How can I say this in a more empowering way?”

I thank God for you and may God continue to bless you.