Daily Devotions – Righteousness Through Faith

Daily Devotions – Righteousness Through Faith

 

Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:

 

Romans 3:21-31 (NIV)
Righteousness Through Faith
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. 27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

 

This passage changed the lives of Martin Luther, John Wesley, and countless others. How is this message of grace impacting your life?

This message of grace gives me freedom from trying to work my way into heaven. I was brought up in a “works-based” theology and I always wondered if I would be able to do enough or be good to make it heaven! What a wonderful feeling to know that my place in heaven isn’t based on me or my goodness but on the amazing gift of Christ’s love and sacrifice.

 

Lord, I feel humbled every time I think of what you have done for me. I admit that I can hardly begin to wrap my mind around it but I take so much comfort in that fact. I realize there is nothing I can do to make you love me more or nothing I can do that will make you love me less. Even more astounding to me is that your grace is available to everyone! You make no distinction between people, you don’t care if someone is rich or poor, black or white. Lord, you don’t care where someone comes from. You only ask for a heart that seeks you. You Lord I pray that I live worthy of your sacrifice daily. That your love would be demonstrated in and by the work you have appointed me to do, not to win anything except more lives and hearts for you my glorious Savior! Amen.

 

Today’s prayer was submitted by Jo Schneider