The Root Of Problem

Devotional 
When a tree is diseased, you can trim the branches and treat the symptoms, but if the root is rotten, the tree will eventually die. Similarly, many people focus on changing their behavior - the 'branches' of their life - without addressing the root issue. Sin isn't just about the bad things we do. At its core, sin is choosing to live independently from God, just as Adam did when he chose to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. It's the decision to go our own way, to be our own god, to operate separately from our Creator. This independence from God affects everything we do. Even our 'good' works, when done apart from relationship with God, become self-righteousness. The Bible describes our own righteousness as dirty rags - not because good deeds are bad, but because they can't bridge the gap between us and a holy God when they're motivated by self-effort rather than flowing from His life within us. This is why behavior modification doesn't work in the long run. You might be able to change some habits or improve certain areas of your life, but the root problem of separation from God remains. Only through relationship with Jesus can we address the core issue and experience true transformation from the inside out. Understanding this helps us approach our struggles with humility and hope - humility because we recognize our complete dependence on God, and hope because He has provided the solution through Christ.

Bible Verse
'Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.' - Galatians 2:16

Reflection Question
In what ways have you been trying to live independently from God, even in areas you consider 'good' or 'righteous'?

Quote
Sin really is just doing something separate from God. Sin came into the world When Adam chose to be separate from God, to pick from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, to grab a hold of something, to go after something apart from fellowship with God.

Prayer
Father, I confess that I have often tried to live independently from You, even in my good intentions. Help me to recognize that true righteousness only comes through relationship with You, not through my own efforts.