In what ways should Ecclesiastes 7:20 influence our view of personal sin? The Verse at the Center “Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.” (Ecclesiastes 7:20) A Universal Diagnosis of Sin • Scripture states the condition plainly: every person commits sin. • This echoes throughout the Bible: – “There is no one righteous, not even one.” (Romans 3:10) – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) – “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves.” (1 John 1:8) How This Shapes My Self-Understanding • I cannot claim moral superiority; the verse levels the ground for all people. • My good deeds do not erase my sinful actions or motives (Isaiah 64:6). • Awareness of indwelling sin keeps me honest before God and others. Guarding Against Self-Righteousness • Ecclesiastes 7:20 dismantles any illusion that some believers “arrive” at sinless perfection in this life. • It protects me from judging others harshly (Matthew 7:3–5). • Recognizing my own faults fosters compassion for fellow sinners. Fuel for Humility and Repentance • Because sin is inevitable, continual repentance must be habitual (Proverbs 28:13). • I approach God with contrite humility, not defensive excuses (Psalm 51:17). • Confession restores fellowship: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us.” (1 John 1:9) The Need for a Savior Highlighted • Ecclesiastes 7:20 pushes me to look beyond myself for righteousness. • Christ fulfills what I cannot: “For our sake He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) • Salvation is received, not achieved (Ephesians 2:8–9). Daily Application Checklist – Acknowledge sin as a present reality every morning. – Examine motives, not just actions, using Psalm 139:23–24 as a guide. – Confess promptly; keep short accounts with God and people. – Depend on Christ’s righteousness, not personal performance. – Extend grace to others, remembering my own constant need of it. |
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