Remember the lyrics “I fought the law and the law won”? I have a built in sense of fairness. You do too. All of us have said the words “that’s not fair”. In doing so we are appealing to some universal sense of right and righteousness. Our God-given conscience informs us about such things because we all bear the image of God. So then, internally we feel we should “do something” to atone for our shortcomings, sin, and rebellion against our Creator and His Holy Law. But, we will fail. There is no complete atonement we can make for ourselves. We could sacrifice the first fruits of our labor (that’s nice)… We could give an offering (not bad). We could try to keep as much of the law as is humanly possible (applauded). But, in the end only the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus the Son of the Living God is sufficient. And sufficient it is! So, by faith I accept the grace of God and I am put into a right relationship with Him. It is imputed righteousness, not earned. May I never regress toward self-righteousness and feeble attempts to stand on my own keeping of the law.
Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Therefore, recognize that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. Galatians 3:6-9 NASB
How has the grace of God inspired even greater obedience and a desire to live holy and in fellowship with God?
God, as this day begins- I am amazed at what You have done to express Your great love and redeeming intention. My prayer is for every person familiar with Your Holy Law (both Jew and Gentile) to accept the sacrificial atoning work of Christ and to enter into a righteous relationship with You. Here then is salvation- to know You and the Son whom You have sent. I am not fighting the law, I am accepting the grace available.
