Nothing Added

Nothing Added

Bible Reading: Galatians 2:17-19

We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

As we think about making amends to God, it seems there must be something we can do beyond placing our faith in Christ. What if God does expect us to do good works to make up for our sins? All right, maybe the sins we committed before we became Christians have been covered. But what about all the sins we’ve committed since then? Wouldn’t it be wise to be on the safe side? Why not figure out some sort of payment system—adding to what Christ did—just to be safe?

The Christians of Paul’s day asked similar questions. They thought, “But suppose we seek to be made right with God through faith in Christ and then we are found guilty because we have abandoned the law. Would that mean Christ has led us into sin?” Paul replied to this question, “Absolutely not! Rather, I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down. For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God” (Galatians 2:17-19).

Christ paid in full for all our sins. We can trust him fully to make amends for us with God. We don’t have to rely partly on our own ability to make amends to God. It’s already done!

Jesus Christ has made direct and complete amends on our behalf.