Custody Under the Law (Galatians 3:22-24)

Today’s scripture: Galatians 3:22-24

Everyone sins. Everyone. Try as you might not to, you still sin. A burst of anger at another driver. A lustful thought. A momentary envy.

Everyone sins.

And before “faith came,” that is, faith in Jesus Christ, mankind was “kept in custody under the law.” Think of that word, custody. Being under the “immediate charge and control” (Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary). If a person wanted to be righteous, he had to give himself entirely to the Law.

In addition, the Law was the “tutor,” by which people learned what to do—and what not to do—to find atonement. In other words, the Law told mankind how to behave in order to find favor with Creator God.

Can you imagine? Having to watch every single thing you said and did. Every thought. Wondering if you missed something. Did something. Thought something. Anything that might make you lose God’s favor.

What a sad, difficult way to live. And without a once-for-all sacrifice, that’s how we would live.

But stay tuned, tomorrow, we’ll see yet again that there’s another way!

Christ, Our Advocate (1 John 2:1-2)

Today’s scripture: 1 John 2:1-2

More verses of amazing encouragement! John’s first hope for his readers was that they not sin at all. And as followers of Christ, that should be our daily goal: to be as Christ-like as possible and fight against sin.

But John knew how fleshly and flawed we humans are, so he reminded his readers that, when we do sin, Jesus is our advocate, our interceder. Jesus, the righteous. Jesus, our sacrifice. Jesus, our Savior.

He is the “propitiation for our sins.” He is, according to Webster’s Dictionary, our “atoning sacrifice.” Jesus willingly gave His life to save you and me from our sins. He willingly gave His life to save everyone from their sins.

And all we need to do is acknowledge that sacrifice. Confess our sins and then accept the gift of salvation. And then, as Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery, “Sin no more” (John 8:11). So simple. Yet for many, so difficult. Because it means they have to, well, confess their sin. And even more, they’re to sin no more. They either don’t think they’re capable of not sinning (and without the Holy Spirit, they aren’t) or they don’t want to not sin.

If it’s the latter? They need a change of heart.

If, however, you’re reading this, and it’s the former, take heart. God knows you may sin again, even after accepting Jesus as your Savior. But, with the Holy Spirit in you (which happens immediately when you ask for Jesus’ forgiveness and ask God to be Lord of your life), you’ll be more and more aware of the sin in your life. You’ll confess it, and then, it will have less and less a stronghold on your life.

And if you do sin? Your Advocate is ready and willing and able to intercede for you with the Father. And forgive you of that sin.

So be encouraged. I know I am.

God's Redemption (Ps. 111:9)

He has sent redemption to His people;
He has commanded His covenant forever:
Holy and awesome is His name.
(Psalm 111:9, NKJV)

I’m refining a talk for a retreat I’m speaking at in May, and one of the sections is on our being redeemed. What an amazing blessing it is to know we’re “free from the consequences of sin” (Webster’s Dictionary)!

Even though Adam and Eve chose to follow their own path and thus sin entered the world, God loved His children so much, He “sent redemption” to us. He established a covenant with the people of Israel , and atonement came through annual sacrifice. Why was this sacrifice required? God is holy, and without His providing a plan of redemption, we would be forever separated from Him. But He loves us too much for that.

So throughout the Old Testament, atonement was for God’s chosen people. Oh, but then the New Covenant! In just a couple of weeks, we’re going to celebrate the culmination of God’s plan for the redemption of all mankind: the death, burial, and resurrection of God the Son, Jesus Christ.

That’s how much God loves us: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). And anyone who “calls on the name of the LORD will be saved” (Rom. 10:13).

What an amazing, awesome God we serve.

Praise Him today … and every day.