With a high school senior we are constantly hearing about how much college money is available, but goes unclaimed each year. Unwilling to let that happen, we are trying to stay hot on the trial of any possible money for which our daughter might be eligible.

The only truth bleaker than all this supposed unclaimed scholarship money is the overwhelming amount of unclaimed grace that people refuse every day. When Jesus died on the cross and took on the sins of the world, His one death was enough to cover all the sins of every human being who has ever been born on this earth. The Bible tells us that not every human will claim the gift of righteousness Jesus offers.

Paul said it poignantly about the Jews who rejected Christ in Romans 10:3, Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. When I read that I think, Wow, who could ever not submit to God’s righteousness? God’s righteousness is quite a deal. God knows that I'm a sinner and that there is no hope of me ever being righteous. When I finally could see God’s point of view, I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Jesus gave me His righteousness. It couldn't be more simple or more available to everyone. Why won't some submit?

Then I think of myself. Just because I have accepted Jesus’ righteousness as my own for salvation, I, like the Jews, still attempt to live in my own power for the rest of my life. I have a hard time submitting to God’s power to live my life. I have my own ideas about how to live. Whew, it makes me so grateful that the Holy Spirit was able to penetrate my thick head to show me my need for salvation! It just makes me pray more fervently for those I know who have rejected God’s offer of salvation. I know that they cannot accept Christ on their own. I can do my part by living the Christian life in such a way that it makes them desire to know Christ. I can pray.

While I'm praying I need to pray for myself. "Father, help me submit to your righteousness for my daily living. Help me realize that You are the center of my life and that all the great ideas for what I want to have and what I want to do and how I want to live need to be submitted to you. I can't do this without your help, Lord."

How are you doing in living the submitted life? Where do you need to submit? Do you need to submit for salvation?