Today's Reading:O.T. - 1 Kings 1 - 2
N.T. - Galatians 3:1 - 25
Focus Verses: Galatians 3:21-24
21Is 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. 22But 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. 23Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.
Insight:
The declaration of Scripture and the testimony of our own experience is that "the whole world is a prisoner of sin." Having laws and moral codes doesn't change our hearts nor our actions. In fact, having the law serves to convict us all, as we are all shown to have broken it. It's great to have the moral guidance of the law, but what we need even more is the transformed heart that helps us live up to it. We need more than knowledge; we need to be saved from our bondage to sin. Christ's sacrifice opens the door for us to be justified by faith in him. The power of his Spirit can transform us into people whose lives are guided not by the constraint of laws, but by our Christ-like hearts.
Response and Action:
I need to submit to, and take hold of, the guidance of the Holy Spirit in my life. I want to follow Christ with a whole heart and be changed by him. I want God to change my heart and mind so that I am a person for whom rules and laws are unnecessary. I want to be doing what is right because I am becoming a person who is in a right relationship with God. I will do all I can to seek God, to understand his desire for my life, and to take hold of his grace and promise to help me become that person.
O God, work in my life. Change me as I follow Jesus in complete trust. Make me a person who does what is right out of a heart and mind that has been made right by you. Open every door and show me every path that leads to a closer walk with you. Amen.
Proverbs: 13:20
"He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm."
Resources:
Galatians: Experiencing the Grace of Christ
by John Stott
