Today’s Encouragement is Galatians 2:16 “yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”
By works of the law –
We recognize that faith in Christ Jesus as Lord, Savior, Resurrected Son of God Almighty, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords (no single name can adequately describe Him!), is what saves us, justifies us before God’s judgement and sets us forever free from condemnation! What a thought!
Why then do we, would we, strive to live a ‘good life’ here on this earth? If works, our day-to-day actions, in accordance with God’s law, are not working any justification for us… why bother?
First, recognize that our works are never ‘good enough’. God made this clear even before Christ came by the repetition of the animal sacrifice which represented atonement, payment for our sins. God always knew we were incapable of purity and righteous living. So, He mercifully provided a way for us to be at peace with Him, first by obeying His laws and the addition of the animal sacrifice then perfectly by the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus.
Then consider if faith alone saves, would we, should we strive ’to be good’? I say yes! We honor God by obeying His instructions, His wisdom, His advice, counsel and His (that now-politically-incorrect word) commandments. Folks, God couldn’t truly be loving if He didn’t tell us how to live, would He? If He knows what is harmful for us, and what is helpful for us, then wouldn’t a Loving Father God provide that information to His beloved children?
All of the Law, the commandments, the instructions and wisdom of the prophets, Jesus said, is summed up in this: Love the Lord Your God and Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-40) When we do that… we are obeying God, in the fullest and most perfect sense. We don’t do it perfectly (or anything else for that matter) but we strive to Obey because we Love Him.
Lord Help us to show our Love for you through our Obedience… Help us to Love You and Love others.
On Faith Alone
Robert Pierre
Today’s Encouragement 