Friday Reading: Galatians 2 15-17
Key Verse: Galatians 2 16
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Key Verse: Galatians 2 16
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Devotion:
When we really do believe in Christ we are placing ourselves totally at the mercy of God's grace. Just like a mountain climber swinging at the end of his rope, trusting totally that it will save him from death, we too are to let go of the world and to swing free to see that we can totally trust Christ. When we hit that realisation, we will forever be saved. Saved through Faith, by His grace. Not anything that we have done, but what He has done. Not because we could believe strongly enough, but because His grace is sufficient. Not that we were predestined, but because of our taking that step.
When we really do believe in Christ we are placing ourselves totally at the mercy of God's grace. Just like a mountain climber swinging at the end of his rope, trusting totally that it will save him from death, we too are to let go of the world and to swing free to see that we can totally trust Christ. When we hit that realisation, we will forever be saved. Saved through Faith, by His grace. Not anything that we have done, but what He has done. Not because we could believe strongly enough, but because His grace is sufficient. Not that we were predestined, but because of our taking that step.
If we start to think that it is because we have done anything or because of all the rules and commandments that we have not broken, then we are making Christ's death to no effect! If we can ever think that we can take the place of Christ, then we have not realised just who He is. Imagine if a mountain climber believed that they did not need the rope to swing under the overhang. What would happen when they finally tried to swing... If we think we can get to heaven by any other means other than through Christ, then we will suffer the same embarrassing defeat!
If we seek to be justified by Christ, then we ourselves admit that we are sinners and cannot bypass the penalty for sin... death... (Romans 3 23) Does that make Christ the minister of sin? Certainly not! It is only through our realisation of sin that we can identify what we have done wrong. It is only through His word that we can identify that we are sinners. It is only through His example that we know. He is the exact opposite of our sin! He is the example that we need to aim for, not to be saved, but to show Him that we love and respect Him!
Points to Ponder:
Could you have survived without parents?
How can we think we can survive after this world if we are not saved?
Could you have survived without parents?
How can we think we can survive after this world if we are not saved?