Today’s scripture: Galatians 2:19-21
These are familiar verses to many of us, and sometimes, when we’ve heard
something over and over, we tend to overlook the importance of words.
Jesus fulfilled the Law. Before His death and resurrection, redemption came
through adherence to the Law and a blood sacrifice. But Jesus’ payment of the
penalty for our sin made certain aspects of the Law unnecessary. Ritual
cleanliness. Circumcision. A perfect lamb’s spilled blood.
No longer does our righteousness come through the Law. We die to our sin. We
die to the Law. And we live to God. But remember: It’s not we who live. It’s
Christ living in us. Our faith in God gives us a heart to serve Him. Not
because we’re trying to keep a bunch of rules and regulations. But because we
want to please Him. We want to delight Him.
But don’t pass over that last verse. Sometimes we still feel we have to tow the
line. If we give our tithe, if we serve at the homeless shelter, if we help our
neighbor, we’ll sometimes be more righteous in the Father’s eyes. If that were
the case, however, “then Christ died needlessly.”
Oh, my friend. What a tragic thought. Jesus suffered excruciating pain and
torment needlessly? He died an agonizing death needlessly?
No. On the contrary, His suffering and death gave us a way to the Father apart
from the Law. And when we strive to be righteous by what we do, we’re negating
our Messiah’s sacrifice.
In the words of Paul, may it never be!
No comments:
Post a Comment