Most of us were taught early on that if we followed all the rules set before us and worked hard to fulfill the world’s requirements, we would be accepted. The trouble with this line of reasoning is that we can take it to the extreme, and end up enslaved to endless self-effort. This was once true under the Law of Moses; thankfully, Jesus came and changed the requirements. Because of what He did, we’re no longer bound by the expectation that we must do everything right for God to accept us.

Our faith in the finished works of Jesus, not our own works, is what makes us righteous. During His ministry, Jesus told the Jews who believed in Him that if they continued in His Word, they would know the truth, and the truth would make them free. However, the liberating power available to us isn’t found in the Bible in general, but specifically in the Gospel of Grace. Paul told the Galatians that the gospel he preached is not of man, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Under the law, the people had to do good to get good; the concept of receiving unearned, unmerited favor was unheard of. The law was never intended to make us righteous, but to condemn us, make us feel guilty, and point us to Jesus. The law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we’re no longer under a schoolmaster.

We now have the Holy Spirit to administer the new covenant of grace and continually remind us of God’s love. Eye hasn’t seen, nor ear heard, the things that God has prepared for those who love Him, but God has revealed them to us by His Spirit. The freedom we can now enjoy while living under grace is something that people who live under the law could never experience.

Prayer:

Lord, because of our inability to make ourselves righteous under the Law of Moses, You sent Your Son to replace the law with grace. We now no longer have to constantly struggle to be in right-standing with You; we simply believe in Jesus and what He did to make us righteous. Thank you for sending us Your only Son. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Scriptures:

John 8:31, 32

Galatians 1:11, 12

Galatians 3:24, 25

1 Corinthians 2:9, 10