How can believers actively seek God despite Romans 3:11's declaration? Facing the Statement in Romans 3:11 “There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.” – Taken at face value, this verse describes fallen humanity’s natural condition. Left to ourselves, we neither understand God nor reach for Him. Grace Makes Seeking Possible • John 6:44 — “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…” • Philippians 2:13 — “For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good pleasure.” • Ephesians 2:4-5 — “God…made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in trespasses.” God initiates the relationship. His drawing, enlivening power changes unwilling hearts into willing ones, enabling genuine pursuit. What Seeking Looks Like for the Born-Again Heart • Daily Scripture intake – Psalm 119:10 — “With my whole heart I have sought You.” – Matthew 4:4 — “Man shall not live on bread alone…” • Prayerful fellowship with God – Psalm 27:8 — “Your face, O LORD, I will seek.” • Passionate worship – Psalm 95:6 — “Oh come, let us worship and bow down.” • Obedient living – John 14:15 — “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” • Christian community – Hebrews 10:24-25 — encouraging one another “all the more as you see the Day approaching.” • Intentional repentance – James 4:8 — “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners…” Promises That Fuel the Pursuit • Jeremiah 29:13 — “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” • Hebrews 11:6 — “He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” • Matthew 7:7-8 — “…seek and you will find.” • Psalm 105:4 — “Seek out the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.” These are iron-clad guarantees, not vague hopes. Because God’s Word is literally true, believers can pursue Him with confidence. How to Keep Seeking When Desire Feels Weak • Return to the gospel: remember the cross and empty tomb (Romans 5:8). • Ask for fresh desire (Psalm 51:10-12). • Fast from distractions that dull spiritual appetite. • Serve others; love expressed in action often rekindles affection for God (1 John 3:18). • Record answered prayers and insights; review them when motivation wanes (Psalm 77:11-12). Living the Tension Well Romans 3:11 exposes our inability; the rest of Scripture reveals God’s remedy. He draws, we respond. He empowers, we pursue. The same grace that saves also sustains every step of the search. Stay in that grace, and keep seeking the One who first sought you. |
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