Readying this morning what God’s servant the apostle Paul said: “For through the law (of Moses) I died to the LAW so that I might live FOR GOD. I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST and I no longer live, but CHRIST LIVES IN ME! The life I now live in the body, I live by FAITH in the Son of God, who gave Himself because He loved me.” Galatians 2:19-20
What a great passage of Scripture for this time of the year when we celebrate our Lord’s death and resurrection! What a freedom I have in Christ knowing that I am ONLY justified (guilt-free and accountable to my God) to obey Him, first and foremost; the only One who truly loves me, and with an everlasting love has called to me to HIS PURPOSE ON EARTH and HIS REWARD OF ETERNAL LIFE WITH HIM. The Law of Moses shows me the sinner I am, and how needy I am of God’s mercy and grace as experienced in Christ Jesus.
No one is JUSTIFIED (free from condemnation/judgment of God) by the works of the Law of Moses, nor even by the laws of our government, and not even by being obedient to the good rules of our loving parents, or to the requirements of our employers or teachers. God, my Savior and Judge, is the only One I will stand before on the Day of Judgment and give an account of my life on earth. Christ Jesus gave Himself for me and He represents me as my Defender and High Priest that stands at the Right Hand of the Father in Heaven, watching over me for my good future, answering all my prayers for those I love. Therefore, I choose to represent my Lord on earth as best as I can (not at all perfectly!) but with all the Spirit’s help who lives in me by God’s grace.
“By the works of _________ NO ONE WILL BE JUSTIFIED!” (Galatians 2:16)
“Does God give you His Spirit and work miracles among you BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW, OR BY BELIEVING IN WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD (according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ)?” Galatians 3:5
“For when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are His sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ So, you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are His child, God has made you also an heir.” Galatians 4:4-7
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are ALL ONE in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:28-29
AHHH, what are we “heirs” of? The PROMISES of GOD! God has told us what these promises are in His Word! All that God has prepared for those who love Him is because of all that God’s Beloved Son has done for us on the Cross and His empty tomb. Hallelujah!
BLESSINGS ON THIS PASSOVER WEEKEND – ALL GLORY TO GOD!