Scripture – “I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!””
Galatians 2:21 NIV
Observation – Paul doesn’t ignore God’s grace or treat it as if it is just an ordinary act that God does for everyone. He knows and states that if we could earn our way to heaven by living a righteous life then there was no reason for Jesus to die.
Application – Most everyone knows that Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins, yet very few know why he had to die. The answer to the question is found in Galatians 2:21. If we could earn our way to heaven through “being a good person” Jesus would not have had to die and pay for our sins. If paying our taxes on time, mowing our grass so our yard looks nice and waving to our neighbors (even though we don’t know their names) could secure us a spot in heaven we wouldn’t need a savior. Our good deeds don’t cancel our sins and our most honorable intentions don’t eliminate our violent thoughts. When we pay someone a genuine compliment it doesn’t justify how we gossiped about someone an hour earlier. Our sins earn us death, Jesus’ death provides a way to be forgiven and viewed as righteous in God’s sight.
Prayer – Lord I pray for everyone out there that believes you are real but thinks they can earn their way to heaven. I pray that they would understand that their sin has separated them from you and that you died for them to bring them near. Amen.
What are you doing? Do it better 