Scripture of The Day
September 21, 2021
All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” (Galatians 3:10) Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” ( Galatians 3:11)
By Cheryl Henderson
In my devotional time the other morning I was reading in the book of Galatians. I have always loved that book because Paul’s heart was to give the “Good News” of the Gospel to the Gentiles. He wanted to see them set free and serving a loving God. He wanted them to know, understand, and receive God’s Grace. However, he had a few enemies.
Those same enemies are in the church today. They are called legalism. The bad thing is that this legalism in Paul’s day was stirred up in the church by the religious folk. Paul’s message to the Galatians was that Jesus came to set them free from the law of sin and death. With the coming of Jesus came a new way of doing things. Jesus became the sacrifice once and for all. But some of the religious found it hard to believe that grace alone was enough for salvation. Surely there must be another ingredient . This usually implies some kind of works.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2: 8 and 9
I wonder how many of us slip into the trap of the Galatians. Do we fear that somehow we are not pleasing to God and that if we Work hard enough or pray enough, or serve enough, that that will help us gain favor with the Lord? I get questions everyday about this. It breaks my heart to see people who are still under the law and have yet to be free. Grace is so amazing and yet many find it hard to receive. I am not saying that we should not serve others, work in our church, or any of that. When you love God with all your heart you want to love others as He has loved you. I love working to build the Kingdom. But if I never did another thing God’s grace has saved me and set me free. He sees me through the blood of Jesus whole and righteous. What Jesus did on the cross was enough!
I want to encourage you today not to get caught up in this lie of the enemy. If you have asked Jesus into your heart and He is the Lord of your life, it is a done deal! You don’t have to work for it or add anything to what Jesus has done for you. You are free!
Romans 8:2 and 3, ” Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
