know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. Galatians 2:16
Every day people are doing good things to look good. They are trying to please someone else and often to cover their mistakes.
People put their trust in what they are doing and so they continue to strive to do more and more or to require more and more of themselves.
Paul points out that no one is justified by the law, but by faith in Jesus. Doing works of the law will not justify or save anyone.
In many Christian groups there are often a variety of things that people are expected to do or not do to be a believer. The focus of these rules are on the law, rather than on the relationship with God and others.
Individuals that are in groups like this, then often tend to do good things in order to please God, so that they may be saved. They want to ensure that they are saved. As this is done, they are not saved, but trusting in their own works, which will fail in the end.
Doing these good things does not make a person more or less saved. Only faith in Jesus will save a person. Once saved, a person does good works and obeys the law, because of God’s love for him and the salvation given to him.
The focus has changed from doing good things to be saved, to doing good things because one is saved.
The only way you can be saved from your sins, is by repentance and trusting in Jesus for your salvation. He provides salvation by faith and faith alone.
Do not allow yourself to be caught up in the ways of the world in trusting yourself to earn your salvation. It will not happen. Believe in what Jesus has done for you. Then, as a believer, choose to obey the law out of love for God and what Jesus has done for you.
God has great works for you to do, but not to be done for salvation, but out of love for God and for others.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will believe in what Jesus has done for you for your salvation; that you will obey the law out of love for God and others; and that you will know you are justified before God by faith in Jesus.
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