ESOCS Devotional 2 September
TEXT: Romans 3: 19 – 31
MEMORY VERSE: “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Romans 3: 28 KJV
There are six crucial concepts in the book of Romans. One of them is justification by faith. In Christian theology, justification means God’s act of removing the guilt and penalty of sin, while at the same time making a sinner righteous through Christ’s atoning sacrifice. It means God’s legal ruling that a sinner is not guilty, is declared innocent. To justify means that God declares us righteous although we did no righteous works (Romans 4:6). The word justified means “pronounced or treated as righteous.” Therefore, ‘justification by faith’ means that by faith God justifies us, for the sake of Christ and not by our works (at all). Therefore, justification is not a license to continue in sin but to continue in holy living to which God has called us through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Most religions prescribe specific duties that must be performed to make a person acceptable to God. Christianity is unique in teaching that the good works we do will not make us right with God. Why does God save us by faith alone? (1) Faith eliminates the pride of human effort, because faith is not a deed that we do. (2) Faith exalts what God has done, not what people do. (3) Faith admits that we cannot keep the law or measure up to God’s standards; we need help. (4) Faith is based on our relationship with God, not our performance for God.
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
No amount of human achievement or progress in personal development will close the gap between God’s moral perfection and our imperfect daily performance. Good deeds are important, but they will not earn us eternal life. We are saved only by trusting in what God has done for us (Ephesians 2:8-10). Good deeds include but not limited to work of charity, contributions in the church, righteous living, evangelism, peace-making, good morals, etc. However, we should not hide under justification by faith to commit sin and still claim that God will justify us; no! Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid (Roman 6:1). Good works is important; it grows our faith, but they cannot save us if not Jesus.
While no action or “work” we do can help us obtain salvation, God’s intention is that our salvation (justification) will result in acts of service (works). We are not saved merely for our benefit but to serve Christ and build the Church (body of Christ). God expects us to continue to live in holiness and righteousness once we are saved.
CHALLENGES
- Are you doing good works believing they will save you, yet not trusting in God?
- Do you believe in the saying; “just come as you are, your faith will save you,” and you do not make any effort to run away from sin?
PRAYER POINT:
- Ask God to help you to do good works, increase your faith, and justify you by your faith through His mercy.
FURTHER READING:Romans 4: 1-8; Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-10
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ESOCS Devotional 2 September
