“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
—James 2:10
THE LAW OF GOD is holy, just, and good (Rom. 7:12), and it perfectly expresses the will of God for holy living. The problem is that no sinful human being 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. “Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” (Gal. 3:10). All men, having sinned against God’s holy law, are therefore lost and in desperate need of salvation. 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” (Gal. 3:13). Christ kept the law perfectly, and He bore its curse in our place, and we are saved by trusting in Him ALONE!
EPHESIANS 2:8 SAYS, “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 who ridiculed Him (Matthew 27:44). But later, according to Luke 23:42, one of them said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Jesus promised him 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 as he cried out to Jesus for redemption. He was saved by God’s grace alone in 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. Even the faith to trust Christ is a work of God’s grace (Eph. 2:8-9). 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 and Christ alone? If so, then God’s grace is alive in your soul. The Holy Spirit has opened your spiritual eyes, granted you a heart of flesh, and created true faith in your soul to embrace Jesus as Lord and Savior. Praise Him this day and always for such a wondrous salvation! He truly 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: September 10, 2024
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry