Galatians 3:19a - Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring would come to whom the promise had been made....
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our International Ministry Centers to write our Friday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.
In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
There are times when our judgments might be called into question. Sometimes we don't have enough information to make an adequate assessment, but we make one anyway. Sometimes our opinions are biased even before we draw a conclusion, but we go ahead and make a decision. Judgments are tricky things, especially when those making them are flawed in their own judgment-making process.
As human judges, to have compassion toward an individual rightfully found guilty might be far from our thinking. Had our heavenly Father been of this mindset, we would all be doomed. He could have easily let the judgment stand against us for our sins. "For the wages of sin is death," the Scriptures say (Romans 6:23a). But no, He didn't let the verdict against us end there. He held out hope; He sent forth His Son. "But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23b).
What makes the difference between a death sentence and liberation? There is only one answer: grace.
We no more deserve God's good favor and forgiveness for what we've done against Him than does the most heinous and abusive murderer you can imagine deserve a pardon for his or her crime. In this world, the convicted criminal frequently gets the punishment the law demands. For the person clinging to Christ's atoning work on the cross, however, God's Law with its perfect demands, is set aside, done away with, satisfied completely by the blood of the Lamb.
As long as we have breath, there is opportunity to know God's grace.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, You've made the difference. Thank You for the forgiveness we have in You. Help us to forgive others. Amen
Biography of Author:
This devotion is based on a text from Anna Semionova who is member of Holy Trinity Church in Moscow. She is one of the founders of the congregation and is an active member. She has been a friend of the LHM in Russia for many years.
To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.
Today's Bible Readings: Hosea 12-14 Romans 16
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