The Freedom Of Faith

If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.

Galatians 3:21-22

THE LAW IS GOOD, but it doesn’t give life. It can’t give life. It isn’t meant to. Trying to please God simply by obeying laws, rules, and principles never works for long. Instead, it produces either pride or despair: pride if you feel as if you’re doing pretty well, especially compared to other Christians; despair if you feel as if you’re not measuring up to some external standard coming from God, others, or even yourself.

There’s something in us (sin) that wants to earn its own way rather than receive grace. The simplicity of faith, of receiving a gift apart from anything we’ve done, will do, or ever could do, is an affront to our pride. The perception we have of ourselves as pretty good people doing the best we can must give way to the humble acknowledgment of our true condition as people captive to sin who can be set free only by the grace and mercy of God in Christ.

If you’ve struggled under the bonds of performance-oriented Christianity and legalistic rule-keeping, you know how liberating the gospel message can be. Often, Christians start off well but then gradually begin focusing more on what they’re doing for Christ rather than what He’s done for them. When that happens, their joy leaves the building. Only grace produces willing and true heart obedience that’s good for the long haul. If joy is missing in your Christian life, go back to the gospel to recover it.

BOTTOM LINE

Your joy is linked to your understanding of the gospel. As you live under God’s love, you will grow spiritually, and it won’t be burdensome.

Moment of Strength: Galatians 3:19-26