Head: Know God’s Word | Heart: Love God | Hands: Follow God’s Way
Read Romans 2
HEAD
“For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.” Romans 2:13
Many Jews were proud of all the Bible verses and laws they had memorized. They thought that just knowing the verses and laws made them righteous and special. Paul explains that simply knowing the laws was not what pleased God; actually obeying God’s law is what would make them righteous. When a law was broken, a sacrifice had to be made so that the person could be forgiven. When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, He was the ultimate sacrifice for all of our sins. He knew it was impossible for us to keep all the laws, so He sacrificed Himself to cover all of our sins. Verse 4 says that it is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance. Understanding that Jesus died in our place for our sins should make us want to do what He wants us to do. By stopping the sin in our lives and doing what God wants us to do, we are “obeying the law.”
HEART
We all have moments in our lives when we do not obey God’s law. We are human and mess up sometimes. God always wants us to come back to Him by repenting, asking for forgiveness, and then doing the right thing. What sin do you need to repent of right now? Have you been like the Jews and relied on all the knowledge you have about God, but you don’t actually do what He says? Ask God to help you repent.
HANDS
Write down the sins you’ve repented of on a piece of paper. Thank God for forgiving you and helping you do what is right. Then, crumble the piece of paper up and throw it away.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for always being there for me, even when I mess up. Thank You for wanting me to come back to You. Please forgive me of my sins and help me to do what You want me to do. Help me to obey You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.