…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. Galatians 2:16 – What makes us right with God? Essentially that is the question Paul is answering, even if his audience at the time wasn’t straightforwardly asking that question. Paul recounts a situation where he had to correct the Apostle Peter and the Christians that came from a Jewish background. They had begun to separate themselves from the Gentile Christians, treating them as if they weren’t even believers anymore. Why? Because they hadn’t submitted to the Law of Moses, and according to them one became right with God by Jesus’ sacrifice AND following the Law of Moses. Yet while that line of thinking was condemned by Paul and the Lord Himself, nevertheless it was a pervasive and contagious line of thinking that led many astray. We too must be able to answer the questions of what makes us right with God. Is it Jesus AND ____? Jesus and our good works? Jesus and our confessions to a priest? Jesus and our church giving? Scripture repeatedly combats this “Jesus AND” type of doctrine for it is in total opposition to the true message of the Gospel. It is Jesus ALONE that make us right with the Father. There is no need to submit to the Jewish law or no certain amount of good works that must be done in order to secure our salvation. It is the sacrifice of Jesus alone by God’s grace alone that we are saved. Rejoice in this truth and be sure to be existing in it as you interact with other believers. Let us not excommunicate a brother simply because their life is different than ours. If they have chosen to follow Jesus, they are just as saved as you are and our role is to encourage their walk with Jesus. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3413
Question To Ponder: Why might someone believe they must add ___ to their salvation process?
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