The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 23 April 2019 – Justified By Faith
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TOPIC: Justified By Faith
READ: Galatians 2:15-21 King James Version (KJV)
15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
17 “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not!
18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God.
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”
THE MESSAGE:
Justification has continued to generate debate among theologians. The message of God through Paul here is simple: everyone (circumcised Jews as well as uncircumcised Gentiles) is placed in a right relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ alone. In other words, apart from faith in Jesus Christ, there is no other means of salvation for mankind (see John 14:6).
Unfortunately, many, up till today, still believe that salvation should be achieved through efforts, because in their minds, insisting that salvation is through faith in Christ alone is tantamount to making salvation appear cheap. We must, however, remember that true salvation is not cheap: it was paid for by the death of Christ on the cross.
Our responsibility, therefore, is to believe in and accept the sacrifice that Christ made for us to be saved. Good works do not save a man, but a saved man must naturally bring forth good works. So, good works is not the root of ones salvation, but the fruit of ones salvation.
Therefore, a person who is saved by faith in Christ demonstrates that he or she is saved by being good and doing good works. Remember that the mark of a truly saved person is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Are you truly saved? Does your life show such evidence of salvation?
Prayer: Lord, may my life bring forth the fruit of salvation today and always.
