"Roadblock to Righteousness"
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Our dogs have been using a doggy door for years to get into the backyard. A few weeks ago, I replaced the old worn out door flaps with brand new ones, then something funny happened. While two of our dogs seemed unphased by the change, our youngest now refuses to go outside. Like us sometimes, she wants to go somewhere, but she’s deathly afraid of change.
“ ... All things are possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23).
Jesus shows us how God opens the door of possibility to those who trust him. So, where are we trying to go in our walk with the Lord?
Destination: Righteousness
Coming to Christ means following in his steps. We want to allow him to lead us in what’s good and right. We’re looking for a better way of living, showing our good works to the world as lights in the darkness. Righteousness is our aim in life, as Peter said, “... Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him” (Acts 10:34–35).
So, if we say that godly living and practicing righteousness is our goal, what roadblock prevents that possibility from becoming a reality?
Roadblock: Lacking Repentance
Change is hard and often frightening. But we can’t hang on to our old way of life and still expect the blessings of a new way of living. If our goal is to do what is right, following God’s requirements, we have to let go of our past life of sin. Like Paul said, “… put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:22–24).
God opens the door to our salvation through Christ’s death, but so often, we stubbornly block the way. We can refuse to enter by our unwillingness to let go of sinful practices. And when we demand our way, our access to the Father is cut off. As Isaiah said, “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear” (Isa. 59:1–2).
So, are you afraid of change? Is a total transformation too much to ask (Rom. 12:2)? Or are you ready to abandon your old life through repentance, committing yourself to do what’s right and acceptable to him?
