One begins to doubt, to question “Is there goodness in anyone? Are all destined to fall?”

The Scripture answers that. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”
(Romans 3:10-12 )

The proof is before us in living color — what God says is true. The inner core of man is not good. We forget that to our hurt. Sooner or later, despite all the accomplishments and good deeds a man accumulates, what is inside will come out. It may be small, it may be dramatic. It may affect only him; it may affect a nation. It will shock; it will amaze; it will disappoint. As yeast causes the dough to spill over the bowl, so the inner sin of man froths over the boundaries of his life, its rising tide not stemmed by position, relationships, or achievements.

That’s why the message of the Bible is so right, so life-giving. When the Holy Spirit is in control, life cannot be ruled by the depraved nature. Self and its corruption is dethroned, led away to be crucified so that the life of Christ may reign supreme.

Christ offers a way of escape from the decay of sin. We don’t have to be overcome and dominated by wanton affections. We can depend on Him for minute-by-minute, life-giving guidance. He delivers from bondage; He snaps the noose Satan has placed on our necks. He gives us His righteousness, and anything good about us is only His life living out in us. The vessel is common; the Life inside is divine.

We are all steered by our inner compass. Some profess to have no Master; they are atheists. Others proclaim a spirit guide; they are occultists. Christ’s followers confess that they have surrendered all they are to the One Who died for them and are being led by the life-giving Spirit of God. And this is true life; a surrender — first of sin, then of self. And in human weakness, His strength is made perfect. O God, enable me to keep my surrender strong.

“And if Christ be in you……….the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” (Romans 8:10)