DEVOTION
GALATIONS
CLOTHED
Gal 3:26-27
26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. NIV
Every day when I get up I cloth myself with some article from my closet which gives me a certain appearance others can see. Sometimes I put on some dirty ole thing which I have worn a couple of days before, just to get to the kitchen and make the morning coffee. Then there are times I get dressed for work, nice clothes so others think I look fairly good. When I go to the Kroger and shop I see all sorts of outer appearances and even more when I journey over to the Super Walmart. I do think I might even do a little judging about those people based on the cloths they are wearing. I know that is not a good thing, and God even tells me I do that, but he sees their heart. It is impossible to look past the outer appearance at times and that is what I am seeing in these two verses. I am a son of God and as such I have gotten up from being dead and have clothed myself with Christ. Each morning when I raise from my bed I already have all the clothes I need for the day. Sure I have to put on the garments, but I think maybe when people see me they should not be seeing the cloth hanging on my outside, but should be seeing Christ. But I think that may not always be the case. Sometimes they might see some dirty ole something which I worn a couple of days ago. If my eyes are a window to my soul, they should be able to see Christ at all times. I have to ask myself if I allow some of that old stuff out instead. Those attitudes of the past, those thoughts and reactions of a person from long, long ago. Why does that happen? I hate it when I am not allowing Christ to be seen. Why do I keep sneaking up in my appearance to others, especially those I love the most? If anything they are the ones who should be seeing Christ instead of me. I preach it, but sometimes I don’t practice it. If I am clothed with Christ than I should let him be seen in my appearance, my attitude, my thoughts, my actions and reactions to all and even my face should show him. I know that is the truth. I am a child of God, a son of God, and I am clothed with Christ.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Just Jesus
DEVOTION
GALATIONS
JUST JESUS
Gal 3:23-25
23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
NIV
Must I deal once more with this same issue? I suppose it is good to instill this truth into the very core of my being. Why else would God what to make such a point of this? Is it because I need to understand completely about not being bond into slavery by the law or by rules established by men today which are just another form of the law? Am I so easily distracted by those things? I don’t think so, but maybe I do fall into that kind of thinking, or maybe I just am not thinking and just follow along without much thought about it at all. Sometimes I think that is the case. Maybe I just don’t want to rock the boat. If I do think about being free from the law, and from that list of do’s and don’ts then I have to stand up and speak up for the truth. I have to declare what God has stand. Do I skirt around that issue whenever I do preach, or when I am simply talking with other believers? Do I not bring it up for fear of controversy? Why would people want a list? Why would people think it is right to have a set of rules they can check off as either doing or not doing? Do they really not believe that righteousness is gained by their successfully accomplishing that list? I know I cannot just go around doing anything I desire just so the grace of God can be demonstrated in my life. I know I have to live to please him. I know there are things I can no longer engage in and I know there is a way I should live. But I cannot help think if I simply love the Lord God with all my heart, my mind, my soul and my body and love others as myself I would be pleasing God. I would be living in a manner without the law, without those rules, or list; I would be living by out my faith. And in order to love others and myself I must love myself first. That is the easy part, because God loves me and he knot me together in my mother’s womb and he simply does it right. So I am the very being he designed me to be, thus why would I not love me? So now loving those others is the harder part. I think that is it in a nutshell. No law, no rules, no lists, all they do it show me my need for Jesus, and once I have him, I need nothing else, I am subject to nothing else, just Jesus.
GALATIONS
JUST JESUS
Gal 3:23-25
23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
NIV
Must I deal once more with this same issue? I suppose it is good to instill this truth into the very core of my being. Why else would God what to make such a point of this? Is it because I need to understand completely about not being bond into slavery by the law or by rules established by men today which are just another form of the law? Am I so easily distracted by those things? I don’t think so, but maybe I do fall into that kind of thinking, or maybe I just am not thinking and just follow along without much thought about it at all. Sometimes I think that is the case. Maybe I just don’t want to rock the boat. If I do think about being free from the law, and from that list of do’s and don’ts then I have to stand up and speak up for the truth. I have to declare what God has stand. Do I skirt around that issue whenever I do preach, or when I am simply talking with other believers? Do I not bring it up for fear of controversy? Why would people want a list? Why would people think it is right to have a set of rules they can check off as either doing or not doing? Do they really not believe that righteousness is gained by their successfully accomplishing that list? I know I cannot just go around doing anything I desire just so the grace of God can be demonstrated in my life. I know I have to live to please him. I know there are things I can no longer engage in and I know there is a way I should live. But I cannot help think if I simply love the Lord God with all my heart, my mind, my soul and my body and love others as myself I would be pleasing God. I would be living in a manner without the law, without those rules, or list; I would be living by out my faith. And in order to love others and myself I must love myself first. That is the easy part, because God loves me and he knot me together in my mother’s womb and he simply does it right. So I am the very being he designed me to be, thus why would I not love me? So now loving those others is the harder part. I think that is it in a nutshell. No law, no rules, no lists, all they do it show me my need for Jesus, and once I have him, I need nothing else, I am subject to nothing else, just Jesus.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Live for Him
DEVOTION
GALATIONS
LIVE FOR HIM
Gal 3:21-22
21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
NIV
There it is right smack in the face. Over and over again I am dealing with the same issue within this letter. Righteousness can only be given and not earned. I cannot do anything to become righteous. I cannot obey enough of the law to become righteous. Even if I could obey every single bit of the law, to the letter, I still could not be righteous. Even though most, if not all, believers today do not give much thought to the Old Testament law given to Moses to impart unto the children of Israel, they do endeavor to adhere to rules believed to be established within the New Testament, at least that is what it appears to me. Maybe it is more of a list of what is considered commandments, which are derived from the ten and expanded on by Christ. If I keep the ten than I could I be considered righteous? How about if I kept the ten and the entire expanded version I would be righteous? It is good to live my life in a manner which pleases God, which is my goal, but I am not sure I am able to do that completely without some failure. Even with the help of the Spirit, my old self still fights to keep control. So how can I ever expect any set of laws, commands, rules, doctrines, or anything else be a way for me to attain righteousness? I simply fail too often to rely on them to be my way of achieving justification or right standing before God. No, I always have to come back to the beginning when I first believed. God saved me from death and gave me life that day and every day simply because I believe. When he sees me he sees his Son Jesus and he sees me as righteous because of Jesus. I have the right to stand in his presence because I believe in Jesus, not because I live by some set of rules, regulations, laws, doctrines, or anything else, but because I live by faith in Jesus Christ. I don’t know why I get catch up in allowing other believers to impose their beliefs on me. Sometimes maybe I think it does matter, if I try to obey those rules. Or maybe I just allow them to think I am trying to obey the rules, but that is hypocrisy. I think I must be honest with myself and with them, and simply declare the truth whenever the occasion happens. In fact that is what I will do. I will declare life only comes because of faith, death comes from the law. Why do people what the law? Why do Christians what a set of rules? Maybe so they can check off the list, I do this, I do that, I don’t do this, I don’t do that. What I know is I do not do lists. I am free of lists. Lists cannot bring me life, only Jesus can do that. Lists cannot bring me righteousness, only Jesus can do that. Because I trust in him, love him and have been made right before God by him, I am living for him. What I do, the way I behave, what I say should be to bring Glory to the Son and to the Father and to the Holy Spirit. I must live for him.
GALATIONS
LIVE FOR HIM
Gal 3:21-22
21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
NIV
There it is right smack in the face. Over and over again I am dealing with the same issue within this letter. Righteousness can only be given and not earned. I cannot do anything to become righteous. I cannot obey enough of the law to become righteous. Even if I could obey every single bit of the law, to the letter, I still could not be righteous. Even though most, if not all, believers today do not give much thought to the Old Testament law given to Moses to impart unto the children of Israel, they do endeavor to adhere to rules believed to be established within the New Testament, at least that is what it appears to me. Maybe it is more of a list of what is considered commandments, which are derived from the ten and expanded on by Christ. If I keep the ten than I could I be considered righteous? How about if I kept the ten and the entire expanded version I would be righteous? It is good to live my life in a manner which pleases God, which is my goal, but I am not sure I am able to do that completely without some failure. Even with the help of the Spirit, my old self still fights to keep control. So how can I ever expect any set of laws, commands, rules, doctrines, or anything else be a way for me to attain righteousness? I simply fail too often to rely on them to be my way of achieving justification or right standing before God. No, I always have to come back to the beginning when I first believed. God saved me from death and gave me life that day and every day simply because I believe. When he sees me he sees his Son Jesus and he sees me as righteous because of Jesus. I have the right to stand in his presence because I believe in Jesus, not because I live by some set of rules, regulations, laws, doctrines, or anything else, but because I live by faith in Jesus Christ. I don’t know why I get catch up in allowing other believers to impose their beliefs on me. Sometimes maybe I think it does matter, if I try to obey those rules. Or maybe I just allow them to think I am trying to obey the rules, but that is hypocrisy. I think I must be honest with myself and with them, and simply declare the truth whenever the occasion happens. In fact that is what I will do. I will declare life only comes because of faith, death comes from the law. Why do people what the law? Why do Christians what a set of rules? Maybe so they can check off the list, I do this, I do that, I don’t do this, I don’t do that. What I know is I do not do lists. I am free of lists. Lists cannot bring me life, only Jesus can do that. Lists cannot bring me righteousness, only Jesus can do that. Because I trust in him, love him and have been made right before God by him, I am living for him. What I do, the way I behave, what I say should be to bring Glory to the Son and to the Father and to the Holy Spirit. I must live for him.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Law of Christ
DEVOTION
GALATIONS
LAW OF CHRIST
Gal 3:19-20
19 What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one.
NIV
I am without question thankful for the Seed who came, and that was Jesus, of course. I could not have survived under the law which Paul is talking about here. Although God gave it to establish some form of order and respect for one another within the society at that time. That law could not save those people nor can it save me. I understand all societies have to have laws in order to establish order among the residence. I understand God could not allow the people to live with unchecked behaviors, for like me, they had wicked hearts. If I live without any awareness of the principles of God’s will, as stated in his divine word, I would certainly behave in a manner outside his will. I was not a nice person before Christ came into my life and thus I am certain I would still not be a nice person, living a life of sin and degradation. Although I try my best to live under the law of this land, I am glad I do not have to live under the law God gave to those people in the Old Testament. Christ came to complete that law, which he did, perfectly and thus if I am in Christ, I have truly completely that law as well, as far as God is concerned. It does get a little confusing at times, because I still sin. Right, I am not living a life of sin, but I still disappoint God. I still have not been able to live without sin. I know if I ask him, he forgives me over and over again, but that seems not right. Maybe that is why some people I know believe they don’t sin anymore. They cannot reconcile that concept of being in Christ and still sinning. But I have to because that is reality. That is the way it is, and will always be as long as I am still in the body. Right, I should not make any provision for my body, or make excuses for my sinning because I am flesh and blood. But darn it anyway I have to come to terms with the truth. I cannot live in a delusion of perfection either. I must see the reality of who I am, and how I am and understand that without Christ I am absolutely condemned. I have no righteousness of my own, it is all his. He set me free from that law and I will not put myself into bondage to any law other than the law of Christ, salvation through faith.
GALATIONS
LAW OF CHRIST
Gal 3:19-20
19 What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one.
NIV
I am without question thankful for the Seed who came, and that was Jesus, of course. I could not have survived under the law which Paul is talking about here. Although God gave it to establish some form of order and respect for one another within the society at that time. That law could not save those people nor can it save me. I understand all societies have to have laws in order to establish order among the residence. I understand God could not allow the people to live with unchecked behaviors, for like me, they had wicked hearts. If I live without any awareness of the principles of God’s will, as stated in his divine word, I would certainly behave in a manner outside his will. I was not a nice person before Christ came into my life and thus I am certain I would still not be a nice person, living a life of sin and degradation. Although I try my best to live under the law of this land, I am glad I do not have to live under the law God gave to those people in the Old Testament. Christ came to complete that law, which he did, perfectly and thus if I am in Christ, I have truly completely that law as well, as far as God is concerned. It does get a little confusing at times, because I still sin. Right, I am not living a life of sin, but I still disappoint God. I still have not been able to live without sin. I know if I ask him, he forgives me over and over again, but that seems not right. Maybe that is why some people I know believe they don’t sin anymore. They cannot reconcile that concept of being in Christ and still sinning. But I have to because that is reality. That is the way it is, and will always be as long as I am still in the body. Right, I should not make any provision for my body, or make excuses for my sinning because I am flesh and blood. But darn it anyway I have to come to terms with the truth. I cannot live in a delusion of perfection either. I must see the reality of who I am, and how I am and understand that without Christ I am absolutely condemned. I have no righteousness of my own, it is all his. He set me free from that law and I will not put myself into bondage to any law other than the law of Christ, salvation through faith.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Settled
DEVOTION
GALATIONS
SETTLED
Gal 3:15-17
15 Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ.
NIV
How am I to deal with this idea? The whole idea here is that Christ is the promise God made to Abraham. That through Abraham Christ would come into the whole and the all of this world, or land would belong to him forever. I think that is clear as mud. Maybe I should be including many more scriptures to complete the thought, then maybe not at this point. I do know that I certainly am thankful God made that promise. I would much rather live according to his promise then according to the law. And the promise was even made before the law, now that I can grab onto. Which came first the promise of the law, the promise, of course, and thus the law cannot supersede the promise or be added as a condition of the promise. No rules of man can be added to that promise either. No denominational doctrines can be added to that promise either. Not a single thing can be added or override the promise. All I really have to concern myself with is being a part of the promise. When I look past these words to the rest of this section I do understand that if Christ is that promise, if he is the seed and I am in Christ, I am part of the seed. I am a part of the promise. But I am getting ahead of myself. I am still stuck on this promise verse law thing. I am sounding like a broken record. I do not have to live under the law. I cannot live under the law because it is way to extensive and not a single person can live to it’s standard. I still don’t understand why people what to establish more laws, more rules, more regulations to live by, when those who tried to live under the law could not. What purpose do all this rules serve anyway? They only prove, like the law, I need Christ. I am convinced all I need is Christ. So what do I do with all these rules of the church? What do I do in dealing with my fellow believers who are bond to living under the rules, or current law? There clearly is a set of correct and incorrect behaviors which define a person as either as lost or saved, as an unbeliever or a believer, as a good Christian or just not so good misguided Christian. If I abide by all their rules I am than considered a good Christian. It does not really matter who I am inside, as long as I act in accordance with the rules on the outside, for they judge my on my outward appearance. But God judges my heart and that is far more important. So do I openly oppose their rules and live my life based on faith in Christ or do I still live based on faith, and simply allow them to believe I am in submission to their rules so as to not offend them? I think Paul was openly opposing the rules of those who were trying to impose them on those in Galatia. So then it is settled.
GALATIONS
SETTLED
Gal 3:15-17
15 Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ.
NIV
How am I to deal with this idea? The whole idea here is that Christ is the promise God made to Abraham. That through Abraham Christ would come into the whole and the all of this world, or land would belong to him forever. I think that is clear as mud. Maybe I should be including many more scriptures to complete the thought, then maybe not at this point. I do know that I certainly am thankful God made that promise. I would much rather live according to his promise then according to the law. And the promise was even made before the law, now that I can grab onto. Which came first the promise of the law, the promise, of course, and thus the law cannot supersede the promise or be added as a condition of the promise. No rules of man can be added to that promise either. No denominational doctrines can be added to that promise either. Not a single thing can be added or override the promise. All I really have to concern myself with is being a part of the promise. When I look past these words to the rest of this section I do understand that if Christ is that promise, if he is the seed and I am in Christ, I am part of the seed. I am a part of the promise. But I am getting ahead of myself. I am still stuck on this promise verse law thing. I am sounding like a broken record. I do not have to live under the law. I cannot live under the law because it is way to extensive and not a single person can live to it’s standard. I still don’t understand why people what to establish more laws, more rules, more regulations to live by, when those who tried to live under the law could not. What purpose do all this rules serve anyway? They only prove, like the law, I need Christ. I am convinced all I need is Christ. So what do I do with all these rules of the church? What do I do in dealing with my fellow believers who are bond to living under the rules, or current law? There clearly is a set of correct and incorrect behaviors which define a person as either as lost or saved, as an unbeliever or a believer, as a good Christian or just not so good misguided Christian. If I abide by all their rules I am than considered a good Christian. It does not really matter who I am inside, as long as I act in accordance with the rules on the outside, for they judge my on my outward appearance. But God judges my heart and that is far more important. So do I openly oppose their rules and live my life based on faith in Christ or do I still live based on faith, and simply allow them to believe I am in submission to their rules so as to not offend them? I think Paul was openly opposing the rules of those who were trying to impose them on those in Galatia. So then it is settled.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Redeemed
DEVOTION
GALATIONS
REDEEMED
Gal 3:12-14
12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them." 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
NIV
This is the same idea again and again within this letter to the Galatians. It is about not being able to be justified by the law but only by God. I have to say it again and again to myself. Why would I ever what to be bond to the law? Why would I ever what to try to live by the law? Why would I ever what to even try to live to a set of rules established by men. It seems so foolish to be bond to all the do’s and don’ts. It seems so useless to have to be in such chains. I surely do not want to be cursed by my failure to be successful in obeying ever rule. Who can do that? Who can obey ever rules one hundred percent, all the time? Even a incorrect though counts in breaking the rules. Even an attitude that is not completely perfect all the time counts. How can anyone be so dumb to believe they can be that perfect, they free from sin. I am so glad Christ redeemed me so I can receive the same blessing Abraham got. I have been blessed by God through Jesus Christ. I cannot imagine my life without Christ. I cannot fathom the horrible condition I would be in if it were not for Christ. God knows I am not a perfect person, in fact if I were I would not need Christ, I would not need to be redeemed, but I am not and I need redemption. I need the promise of the Spirit. I need the Spirit of God dwelling within my being. Yet I still get befuddled regarding how I can still do things I don’t what to do, if the Spirit is in me. Should he not simply stop me from some foolish attitude? Should be not halt my reaction when it is not Christ-like? Should he not speak to my heart when I start thinking in some way I should not? Should he not hamper my actions when they are not pleasing to God? Sometimes I just don’t get it. Other times I have it all together. How is this possible? Am I just not paying attention to his still some voice? Why can’t I be all I am supposed to be? I suppose it is because I am a human being. I have to believe it is that plain and simple. I will never be that perfect even with the help of the Spirit, because I am human. But he does make me aware of my failures. He is working to help me in my daily journey with God. He does make a difference because I am more and more aware and make the effort to live to please my Lord. The Spirit is within me and I have been sealed by him for God. My life is not really all about me, but it is about God. I find myself focused on the things of God, more than I am on my own life. I think about him way more then I think about me. Perhaps that is what it is all about anyway. Although I cannot see I believe. Although it may not be logical to human thought, I believe. It is about faith. I am redeemed.
GALATIONS
REDEEMED
Gal 3:12-14
12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them." 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
NIV
This is the same idea again and again within this letter to the Galatians. It is about not being able to be justified by the law but only by God. I have to say it again and again to myself. Why would I ever what to be bond to the law? Why would I ever what to try to live by the law? Why would I ever what to even try to live to a set of rules established by men. It seems so foolish to be bond to all the do’s and don’ts. It seems so useless to have to be in such chains. I surely do not want to be cursed by my failure to be successful in obeying ever rule. Who can do that? Who can obey ever rules one hundred percent, all the time? Even a incorrect though counts in breaking the rules. Even an attitude that is not completely perfect all the time counts. How can anyone be so dumb to believe they can be that perfect, they free from sin. I am so glad Christ redeemed me so I can receive the same blessing Abraham got. I have been blessed by God through Jesus Christ. I cannot imagine my life without Christ. I cannot fathom the horrible condition I would be in if it were not for Christ. God knows I am not a perfect person, in fact if I were I would not need Christ, I would not need to be redeemed, but I am not and I need redemption. I need the promise of the Spirit. I need the Spirit of God dwelling within my being. Yet I still get befuddled regarding how I can still do things I don’t what to do, if the Spirit is in me. Should he not simply stop me from some foolish attitude? Should be not halt my reaction when it is not Christ-like? Should he not speak to my heart when I start thinking in some way I should not? Should he not hamper my actions when they are not pleasing to God? Sometimes I just don’t get it. Other times I have it all together. How is this possible? Am I just not paying attention to his still some voice? Why can’t I be all I am supposed to be? I suppose it is because I am a human being. I have to believe it is that plain and simple. I will never be that perfect even with the help of the Spirit, because I am human. But he does make me aware of my failures. He is working to help me in my daily journey with God. He does make a difference because I am more and more aware and make the effort to live to please my Lord. The Spirit is within me and I have been sealed by him for God. My life is not really all about me, but it is about God. I find myself focused on the things of God, more than I am on my own life. I think about him way more then I think about me. Perhaps that is what it is all about anyway. Although I cannot see I believe. Although it may not be logical to human thought, I believe. It is about faith. I am redeemed.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Living by Faith
DEVOTION
GALATIONS
LIVING BY FAITH
Gal 3:10-11
10 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." 11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith."
NIV
There is just any question about this at all. It is so plain that if it were any plainer it would jump off the page and slap me in the face. How could I ever think the law was good for anything else than to prove I need Jesus? How could any law or set of regulations which are established to set forth parameters to live by gain me the right to stand before God? How could I ever hope to accomplish all of them without ever failing? How could I be so bold to even think it is possible? How could I ever think that God would render me innocent if I attempted to live up to all the laws of both the Old Testament and those determined by men to be the rules of the New Testament? Is simply seems ridiculous to me. I don’t understand why so many attempt to do that. I can’t believe they are actually trying to be right before God based on their behaviors. I do not get that whole thing at all. There is just not a single thing I can do, or a single thing I stop doing which gives me justification. The only way God renders me innocent is through my faith in Christ. I know, I tell myself all the time to live to please God, but even then I can’t do that successfully. How could I except myself to be perfect and without sin? I probably should think like I could. Others do, or at least they profess they do, but I think they are deceiving themselves. I can’t do that. I have to be honest with myself and with God. I am unable to live up to all the standards of the law and those rules established for correct behavior. I do try to do the right thing; I teach and preach the right thing. I know I have to be the salt, the light and a mirror reflecting God to a lost and dying world. I know I should live in manner which is Christ-like and I do my best to do that, but I still know that does not make me right before God. No, it is just simply faith in Christ, I surely will die based on my behavior, but as surely as that I will live by faith.
GALATIONS
LIVING BY FAITH
Gal 3:10-11
10 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." 11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith."
NIV
There is just any question about this at all. It is so plain that if it were any plainer it would jump off the page and slap me in the face. How could I ever think the law was good for anything else than to prove I need Jesus? How could any law or set of regulations which are established to set forth parameters to live by gain me the right to stand before God? How could I ever hope to accomplish all of them without ever failing? How could I be so bold to even think it is possible? How could I ever think that God would render me innocent if I attempted to live up to all the laws of both the Old Testament and those determined by men to be the rules of the New Testament? Is simply seems ridiculous to me. I don’t understand why so many attempt to do that. I can’t believe they are actually trying to be right before God based on their behaviors. I do not get that whole thing at all. There is just not a single thing I can do, or a single thing I stop doing which gives me justification. The only way God renders me innocent is through my faith in Christ. I know, I tell myself all the time to live to please God, but even then I can’t do that successfully. How could I except myself to be perfect and without sin? I probably should think like I could. Others do, or at least they profess they do, but I think they are deceiving themselves. I can’t do that. I have to be honest with myself and with God. I am unable to live up to all the standards of the law and those rules established for correct behavior. I do try to do the right thing; I teach and preach the right thing. I know I have to be the salt, the light and a mirror reflecting God to a lost and dying world. I know I should live in manner which is Christ-like and I do my best to do that, but I still know that does not make me right before God. No, it is just simply faith in Christ, I surely will die based on my behavior, but as surely as that I will live by faith.
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