June 10, 2010 - Acts 13:39

“’Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.’” Acts 13:39.
Paul boldly proclaimed to his mostly Jewish crowd, that following the letter of the law of Moses wasn’t going to save them. Instead, it was only through believing in the redemptive work of Jesus that one’s sins could be fully forgiven. Paul was telling the people that it was not by their works – obeying the law of Moses – that they would be saved. In fact, according to Paul, there was nothing that a person could do to be saved except to believe in Jesus and receive true forgiveness from all sins.
While I don’t consciously work on being justified by the law of Moses, there are times when I will try to do the right actions that will prove my worthiness to God. Does this mean that I shouldn’t be concerned about right actions? Not at all. But my right actions need to come out of a heart of gratitude to Jesus for what He has done for me. This is a good gauge for me to see if I am trying to reach God through my good actions or trusting in His complete work.
Questions to consider: Are there times when you still try to prove your worthiness to God? How grateful are you to Jesus for the justifying work He completed on your behalf? Does this influence your actions and how you live your life? In what ways does it do this?
Prayer: Father, help me to always be grateful for Jesus and the work He completed on my behalf. Help me to never take this for granted or to try to prove my own worthiness. Amen.