My Faith Has Found a Resting Place

Daily Reading: Galatians 2

Scripture Focus: We know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. (Galatians 2.16)

Devotional Thought: I recently had a conversation with a dear lady who told me that she would not be able to be saved until she did certain things – cleaned her life up in certain ways.  She said she had to change her language, her habits, and her dress.  Until she accomplished those things, she could not be saved.  I told her that she had the order all wrong.  I urged her to let Jesus change her from the inside out!

Legalism is a threat to the freedom we have in Christ.  But, what is legalism?  It is not good, clean living.  Paul was not opposed to this.  As a matter of fact, he was a proponent of holy and moral behavior.  Legalism is not establishing and observing certain practices to strengthen you in your faith.  Paul believed in the necessity of spiritual disciplines such as prayer, worship, fasting, and giving. 

Legalism, however, is different.  It puts the behavior ahead of the birth, the doing before the being.  It is equivalent to saying that before a child can be born he must know how to walk!  Jesus insists that the correct order is this: first be made new, then live a new life.  And, while Paul did not make room for Christians to do anything less than obey, he said obedience must spring from newness of life.

On what are you basing your hope today?  Is your salvation firmly grounded on the work that Christ did on the cross?  Or, are you trying to be saved by adding your own version of legalism to your faith?  It is so easy for us as Christians to add our works to the finished work of Christ.  Like Paul, we must resist this at all costs!

Prayer: Lord, in the words of that wonderful hymn, "My faith has found a resting place, not in device or creed.  I trust the Ever-living One.  His wounds for me shall plead.  I need no other argument.  I need no other plea.  It is enough that Jesus died and that he died for me!"  Amen.  (E. E. Hewitt)

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 97.1-7

1 The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!

2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3 Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around.

4 His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.

5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.

7 All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you gods!