Good? Not even close!

According to Merriam-Webster, "pressure" is "the application of force to something by something else in direct contact with it."  "Squeeze," according to Merriam-Webster, is "to exert pressure on or compression against another object."  As I think about these words, "pressure" and "squeeze," I can't help but think about one of my favorite commercials by Minute Made.  In one of their commercials, they use this incredible line: "Put good in; get good out."  The commercials shows an orange being squeezed with that amazing juice flowing into a glass.  This is making me thirsty for some Minute Maid orange juice just thinking about it!

I am convinced that we are feeling much pressure in our world today; we are being squeezed by the circumstances of life.  If you look at social media, read the news, or watch much television, you probably see and hear much of the same that I see and hear.  People are being as mean and rude to one another as ever before.  I had a conversation recently with someone, and we didn't agree with each other's opinions.  However, we were not rude; we did not raise our voices.  We just chose to disagree in a pleasantly.  One thing I said was this: "I am not perfect, but neither are you.  I am not always right, but neither are you.  I am not always wrong, but neither are you."  With that being said, we both agreed on this one thing: We are all sinners in need of a Savior.  Romans 3:10 says, "As it is written: 'There is no one righteous, not even one.'"  Romans 3:11-18 goes on to say, "There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.  All have turned away; they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.  Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.  The poison of vipers is on their lips.  Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.  Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know.  There is no fear of God before their eyes."  I am convinced that many of us, if not all of us, think we are good.  GOOD?  NOT EVEN CLOSE!  The Bible tells us the truth about ourselves apart from God.  "There is no one righteous, not even one."  "There is no one who does good, not even one."  

The pressure we are feeling and the squeeze that is being put on us reveals what is truly inside of our hearts.  Apart from God - His love, grace, and mercy - we are doomed because we are sinful!  If Romans 3:10-18 was all the truth that we had, it would be a tragedy with only death and destruction in the end.  However, Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, BUT the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can repent of our sin and be forgiven.  By God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ, we can "put off" the old clothes (the old self) and "put on" the new clothes (the new self).  As God's children in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and freed from the penalty and the bondage of sin!  We don't stand before God in our own righteousness because we don't have righteousness in and of ourselves.  We stand before God in the righteousness of Jesus Christ.  The Minute Maid commercial says, "Put good in; get good out."  If we want to truly be good to one another, we need the only One who is good - Jesus.  If we want to truly love God and love one another, we need the One who is love - Jesus.  In a world that is full of darkness, hate, and pure evil, we need light, love, and goodness.  As Christ followers, we have that light, love, and goodness in us by way of the Holy Spirit of God through faith in Jesus Christ!  That is something to celebrate, but that is also something to live out loud!  We are children of God, but we are also ambassadors of God in this world. 

Lord, help me be a vessel of Your light, love, and goodness to others.  Even in disagreement, help me treat others with kindness and respect and love.  Help me each and every day to show others Your heart and Your ways by denying myself and taking up the cross and following You.  Lord, I desperately need You.  I trust You, and I trust Your Word to me.  I rely on Your love and Your Spirit within me. Greater are You in me than he who is in the world.  May Your kingdom come.  May Your will be done.  Amen.