The first key to happiness is facing our problem. The Bible says that no one is righteous, that all have become worthless (3:12)? But are we really so bad? Sure, certain people are rotten, but many of us don't feel all that evil.

 Think for a moment of bodily sickness. How do we know we have a bad illness? Pain can be one sign of trouble. But what if we have no pain and feel fine? Does that mean we're healthy? Not necessarily. A routine checkup at the doctor may reveal a deadly sickness like AIDS or cancer. Even if we don't feel it, the doctor says it, the test shows it, and we'd better believe it.

Back to the sin problem. How do we know how bad it is? Pain can be one sign: our conscience can stab us with guilt, and our lifestyle can bring us trouble. But even if we don't feel guilty, even if we don't go through divorce or prison or a sexually transmitted disease, it doesn't mean all is well. The Bible doesn't say, "I know my misery because my conscience is tormenting me and my life is falling apart." It says, "Through the law we become conscious of sin" (Rom 3:20). God's commandments show our true condition. According to Romans 3, the law says that unless the divine Doctor intervenes, we are all sinners, godless, doomed and dying. Even if we don't feel it, God says it, his law shows it, and we'd better believe it.

PRAYER--"Our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us. Restore us, O Lord God Almighty, make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved." Amen. (Isaiah 59:12, Psalm 80:19).