It would be very interesting to see the faces in the crowd when this part was read -- it's not terribly flattering. Here's Paul, leader of the church, telling the church that they were alienated from God and filled with evil deeds. That doesn't make you want to stick around for chapter 2, does it?
But it's something that we all need to hear -- we don't earn the Gospel on the basis of good behavior. Compared to the standard of behavior that is expected of us, all of us have fallen well short, and we are filled with evil deeds and evil thoughts that would take us far from God.
Fortunately, that's not the end of the story. We are reconciled by God so that we are seen as holy and blameless, above reproach. Do you realize what great news that is? You who are worthy of God's reproach are above that, and the hope of the Gospel will keep us safe. Even though we have evil deeds and could be cast off, God comes to us and gives us stable and steadfast faith. What an amazing gift!
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