Tuesday 17 July 2012

Issue 26 - Day 2


Galatians 3

Galatians 3:22-25
22)  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
23)  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24)  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25)  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

The eternal dichotomy is presented to us again today. You cannot gain salvation by works. You cannot maintain salvation by works. In fact, if you attempt a life of works you are doomed to be judged and fail by those same works. We must live by faith, serve in faith, and keep the faith. Yet at the same time, faith without works is dead. Our works give evidence to our faith!

To put it in simple terms. We all learn to read in school. Some read faster than others, some learn from their parents before going to school. However, we all had to be taught how to read. We needed a teacher. As you get older you can read for yourself, and no-longer require a teacher. Does that mean you no longer need to read? Some go on through life not reading much at all, and their lives suffer as a result. You have to read just to get through the day, from road signs to food labels.

It is the same with Christ. The law of works is a teacher to reveal sin and bring us to salvation. having learned we have to continue in the good works we have learned, not ditch them because school has finished. Use the law to learn to live by faith, then do it. You are now free to do all the great stuff God has prepared you to do, not free to sin as you wish. Let’s get focused.

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