“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”—Romans 3:23
The law of God is holy, just, and good (Romans 7:12), and it perfectly expresses God’s character and will for holy living. The problem is that no sinful man can obey the law perfectly. And since the law is a divine unit, breaking any one commandment breaks the whole law, bringing the guilty sinner under God’s curse of temporal and eternal death (James 2:10). “Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” (Galatians 3:10). All men, having sinned against God’s holy law, are therefore lost and in desperate need of redemption. This is where God’s wonderful grace comes into view, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13). Christ alone kept the law perfectly and He bore the curse in the place of His people, and we are saved by trusting Him alone.
The Apostle Paul declares in Ephesians 2:8, “we are saved by grace, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God.” This truth was displayed while Jesus was being crucified between two thieves, and, according to Matthew 27:44, they both ridiculed Him. But later, according to Luke 23:42, one of them said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Jesus promised that thief Paradise that very day. What a wondrous change was wrought in that sinner! He clearly had been given the grace of faith in the last moments of his earthly life so that he might trust Jesus. He was saved by grace alone by the person and work of Christ alone. Moments before, the thief revealed hatred against Christ, but now he believes that Jesus is Lord and Savior. Clearly, this incident shows that we are saved by grace alone, apart from any works that we can do. Christ alone earns salvation for every sinner who, by faith, trusts in Him.
Are you looking to Christ alone for the salvation of your soul? Are you trusting Jesus to save you from all your sins? Is your faith in Christ alone? If so, then the Holy Spirit has regenerated your soul and graciously granted you faith to believe the promises of God. Praise the Lord this day and always for such a wondrous salvation. He is our only hope. Look to Christ today and live for “He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).
Tuesday Encouragement: January 26, 2021
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry