Faith or Law

DEVOTION

ROMANS
FAITH OR LAW
Rom 4:13-15

13 It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, 15 because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.
NIV
So then why do I endeavor so diligently to observe all the rules and regulations of the Christian way of life? Is this not a form of law? Is this not making my reward in Heaven, or for that matter, my entrance into Heaven a condition of my being obedient? If that is true, then what is faith? Have I accepted this word as meaning the type of religion I am, or do I see this faith as simply the act of believing such as Abraham did? He believed God for the absolute impossible. Now that is faith, and so instead of being so concerned about whether I do or don’t do, I really need to believe God, I really need to trust God. Now of course I know I should truly try my hardest to live as he has instructed me, but I must not make that lifestyle into a law which I am in chains to, no I am simply a man, a flawed one at that, who believes God. Jesus has set me free, and once he has done that, I am free indeed. I should not put myself back into bondage to these rules and regulations that bind my faith like chains bind a prisoner to his cell. The law only shows me I am a sinner, and I that I cannot keep it, and I should experience his wrath, but faith tells me I can and I have experienced his grace.