November 6th, 2026
Scripture – ““For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!””
Galatians 2:19, 21 NIV
Observation – Paul is emphasizing that when he looks at the law, the Ten Commandments, he knows that he hasn’t kept them and is a lawbreaker that deserves to be punished. Through the law Paul understands he needs a savior so he dies to the law so that he can live for God by trusting in Jesus’ righteousness, not his own. He knows that no matter how hard he tries he can’t keep the law because he is a sinner. He goes on to say that if righteousness ( a right standing before God that enables one to have eternal life) could be gained, or earned, through the law, Christ died for no reason.
Application – If you believe in Jesus and think you are going to heaven because you are good person you have completely misunderstood the Gospel, which means “Good News”. The Good News is that you can be forgiven for your thousands of sins and have eternal life by trusting that Jesus died on the cross for you and paid for all your sins. You cannot earn your way to heaven because you have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Most everyone agrees that the Ten Commandments are good, yet no one can keep them. Therefore no one will be declared righteous by observing the law, but rather through the law we become conscious that we have broken the law and are sinners. This total reliance on Jesus is hard for a lot of people to accept because they have gone to a church their entire lives that has taught them that if you are good God will accept you. If you are in this position read the Bible on your own and listen to what Jesus says so that you can be saved. Believing in Jesus requires you to believe what he says is true.
Prayer – Lord Jesus, I pray for the millions of people who go to church every week that think their good deeds will get them into heaven. I pray you open their eyes so that they believe the truth and be saved. Amen.
