moral incompetence

“They do not know how to do right,” declares the LORD,

“those who store up violence and robbery in their strongholds.” Amos 3:10

What an indictment! God says of His people Israel that they do not know how to do what is right. The nature of the covenant God made with them was that they would be a nation uniquely devoted to Him. By keeping His law they would show God’s holiness and love to the world. They were meant to be a holy light to the nations to draw them to God. Even though they possessed the covenant and had God’s Law they failed miserably. They had become incapable of doing good… instead hoarding violence and sin in their actions, character, and national reputation.

Israel’s failure proclaimed by God through the prophet Amos reminds us that sinners cannot keep God’s Law under their own power. That is why Christ came to perfectly fulfill God’s Law. This proclamation reminds us that sinners cannot do right. That is why the righteousness of Christ needs to be applied to us. Sinners are filled with iniquity. That’s why we must be clothed in Christ’s righteousness. We do nothing good. That’s why we come to Christ in repentance, confession, and faith so that His work transforms us as we turn FROM wrong to embrace His righteous gifts!

Lord, “They do not know how to do right…” But transformed by grace through faith, Christ’s righteousness can live in Your redeemed elect. And that is really true in me by faith! Thank You! Amen.