28 JAN 23 Saturday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 28 JAN 23 Saturday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came, it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith.  And now that the way of faith has come; we no longer need the law as our guardian.  For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:24-26

In many of my spiritual conversations with non-believers, the question of being right with God will come up.  The response always trends toward being a good person.  The assumption is that if we are good then that is enough or should be enough to be accepted.  There is also an assumption that all people are God’s children.  Both of those are dead wrong.

When you get this response, realize that these people don’t have a relationship with God and don’t understand the gospel.  It is an opportunity to press the conversation.  The law itself functions as a tool of evaluation to see if you are a good person.  Have you told a lie? Have you stolen anything? Have you looked at another person with lust? If you have broken one, you have broken them all and ultimately failed the test of being a good person.  No one passes this test.  Everyone has and will fail it.

 The law exposes us as sinful and broken people.  We need to be acceptable to God and we cannot get there on our own. What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.  The way to become a child of God is through faith in Jesus for who he is and what he has done for you on the cross. We must all surrender our sinful lives and trust in Jesus.

Have you surrendered your life to Jesus?

Heavenly Father, thank you for planning to save me from before the world was made.  Thank Jesus for laying down your life to spare me from the wrath of your Father and give me eternal life in heaven.  Thank you Holy Spirit for finding me, changing my will, opening my eyes and ears, giving me a new heart, and the gift of faith to trust in Jesus.  Amen. 

Reading Plan: Psalm 55; Isa. 51:1-8; Gal. 3:23-29; Mark  7:1-23

Daily Office Year 1