3:10 (Romans) “as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one;”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬ 

We might be tempted to think that if there were a righteous person here on earth, that person would probably be Japanese. But the Bible tells us clearly that there is none righteous, not even one. No matter how exceptional our outward conduct is, our true selves are revealed in unguarded moments or in our thought life. And the Bible tells us that even if a person looks with lust upon another, adultery has been committed. Under this criteria, truly, no one is found righteous. It is not a sliding scale or a grading on a curve. 

But just as we are under the same conviction, we are also all given the same access to the remedy. Our Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus was walking on the earth 2000 years ago, the ones who resisted Him the most were the most outwardly righteous ones. But God looks at the heart and their hearts did not pass inspection. 

So, it is so reasonable that the most outwardly upright population has been the least accepting of the remedy since no one takes medicine when they don’t feel sick. 

So, on the eve of the anniversary of 3-11, I pray the Lord God shine light on every heart, every heart, so in the Light, we can see that we cannot measure up and we need the Remedy. Jesus alone can give us a new heart. 

Lord God, have mercy on us all. We are deceived so easily to think we can measure up to Your standards of righteousness. We confess we cannot, and we accept the measuring up of Jesus in our place. He is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, including all our Japanese neighbors in this world. Jesus is the Light of the World, shining in the darkness, the darkness cannot overcome it. Give us also humility to receive this grace. Jesus alone can be my righteousness. Have mercy on the people. Cause this remembrance to bring the Japanese to salvation. Work in the hearts where the seeds have already been sown, where the gospel has been spoken and Christian testimonies have been witnessed. Bring them through to faith, and may Christ Jesus living out of them capture the hearts of their families, their coworkers, and their communities. In Jesus’ overcoming name.